The Students’ Union is probably somewhere you walk past all the time on campus but have never even thought about entering, but you should! The student representatives in and around the union are an invaluable resource and can help you with any obstacles you’re facing during your time at the university or school. In fact, if they’re finding the same problems often enough, they might even start lobbying or campaigning for the change, on your behalf. If you’re ever wandering around campus feeling lost or down, the Student’s Union is there for you. As a lot of the people involved are older, more experienced students, they’ll be able to give you advice about courses or teachers, let you in on some campus hacks or shortcuts and set you up with someone to talk to. Unions are always best to visit when you are depressed. It decrease your depression almost 40%.

3. Try volunteering

If you’re out of sorts, you might feel like you won’t be of much use to anyone, but you’d be wrong. As well as helping others, volunteering for a cause will actually make you feel much better. Research has shown that dedicating time to doing good for other people helps volunteers manage and reduce their stress levels. Not only that, but often, volunteering involves some form of physical activity which means you’re getting out and about more than you would on an ordinary day, and benefiting from all the perks of being active.

Much ink has been spilled on the health benefits of exercise. But it’s all true. As hard as it might be to drag yourself out of bed before class or to head to the gym at lunch, you won’t regret it. Even if you don’t skip off the treadmill with a big smile on your face, you’re guaranteed to feel better than when you started working out, even if you’re just proud of yourself for putting on your trainers in the first place. Even if you’re just proud of yourself for owning trainers! If you’re feeling down, exercise is probably the quickest and cheapest fix available. The advantages are endless: it increases the chemical norepinephrine in your brain, which will help you cope with stress better; it releases the ‘happy hormone’ serotonin; it reduces or prevents depression; relieves anxiety; improves your overall mood; boosts brain power and energy levels. If you’re feeling overwhelmed about your workload or an upcoming exam, regular exercise can even lead to increased productivity and creativity.

Getting back to nature is a very simple but very effective way to lift your spirits. A recent study found that people who went for a 90-minute walk in a natural area (instead of an urban, traffic-filled environment) had decreased activity in the area of the brain that causes depression. If you’re having trouble sleeping, a day beside the sea will help you get a great night’s sleep. The sea air is filled with something called ‘negative ions’, which help balance serotonin levels and make us feel calmer, less stressed and ready for a solid night of rest. Being by the sea promotes a state of mindfulness and meditation. Take a moment to watch the waves crash onto to sand and to admire the vastness of the huge ocean.

Whether you go alone or grab a bunch of friends after class, going to the cinema can be one of the most fun ways to make yourself feel better. Spending two or three hours in a dark room, feasting on salty popcorn, sipping sweet drinks and watching a great movie is almost guaranteed to take your mind off your mood. Decide what you want to see based on how you’re feeling – a comedy is always a good idea if you need to spend the afternoon laughing, try a gripping thriller if you’re feeling bored or maybe a true story might give you advice on your own life. There’s even a school of thought called Cinema Therapy, where psychologists actually prescribe certain films to their patients to help them work through a problem.