Dancing is a way for Maria Huikkonen to release energy – but at the same time, she’s noticed she feels more energised after her dance session. Moving to the music and following a dance routine allow her to take a break from her busy schedule as a student.

“When I dance, I can just switch off and focus solely on my dance moves and the music”, Maria smiles.

She says she feels better when she can find the energy to do things that she enjoys instead of focusing solely on her studies. In addition to modern dance and ballet, this includes painting and drawing, and more recently, going to the gym.

What Maria finds particularly important is spending time with her friends and family and remembering to take breaks.

“Sometimes it’s best to turn off your laptop and take a break, for example by taking a walk outdoors.”

Staying organised and having a good support network help

Maria attends the university campus in another town and commutes by bus or car, which means her days have to be carefully scheduled. Another reason scheduling is important, she says, is because it helps her stay on top of her coursework.

“In upper secondary school, I’d always leave everything to the last minute, but while studying at the university I’ve had to change my ways. It has a huge positive impact on my mood and stress levels if I start working on my assignments early, and don’t let them pile up so I have to try to finish them all in the last few weeks just before the term ends.”

Maria says it’s important to her as a busy student to make sure she gets enough sleep and maintains a varied diet. Also important are her friends at the university and having access to the right support services.

When you’re a student, Maria says, financial troubles or other things happening in your personal life can sometimes stress you out. She encourages everyone with something weighing on their mind to talk to their friends or family.

Also providing support for all kinds of life’s situations is YTHSDigi. The app has been designed to meet students’ needs: you can use services and find advice and information flexibly with no phone calls or long queues.

“I feel easier knowing that help is available should I need it. It makes me feel like they really care about us students”, Maria says.

Finding strength in self-expression

Maria feels that it’s important for her wellbeing to have an element of self-expression in her daily student life, providing her with feelings of accomplishment. Painting and drawing have been important forms of self-expression for Maria ever since she first held a pencil. Dancing, which she started during her studies, has helped her discover new sides to herself.

“Dancing has taught me that I can do things even if they feel uncomfortable or difficult at first”, she says.

Maria’s study years have opened her eyes to how important wellbeing is. Studying to become a teacher in early childhood education, she feels that in her future job it’s important to act as a model for children on how to look after their wellbeing.

“They’ve told us over and over again that we need to take good care of ourselves. It’s really important that our bodies stay injury-free and that we have the energy we need to work and play.”