Support at Imperial

"At Imperial, I feel like I know my lecturers personally. That really helps me feel at home."

Max (mechanical engineering) speaking with his personal tutor.

Here to help

There are so many amazing ways to fill each day at Imperial that taking care of yourself can sometimes slip down the priority list. But it shouldn’t.

It’s important to make time for the things that keep you healthy and happy. And we’ve got some brilliant resources, as well as our College-wide network of support services to help you out.

Max and Patrick told us about using some of the support services at Imperial…

MAX, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

It’s always tough moving halfway across the world to a new country and a big city.

I moved to London from Malaysia to study Mechanical Engineering, and although I feel settled in my new home and have a great support community, sometimes it can all get a bit overwhelming with my studies and all my extra commitments.

Imperial’s support services were invaluable in helping me deal with this. I went to see my Personal Tutor and he was really helpful. He would check in on me every week, we’d have lunch together to catch up, and he put me in touch with our department’s Wellbeing Advisor who was also great. 

Even when I was stuck at home during the pandemic, my tutor would continue to catch up with me over a virtual cup of tea.

He gave me some great tips and advice on how to balance my studies and social life and suggested some really useful recommendations.

At Imperial, I feel like I know my lecturers personally. That really helps me feel at home.

Max (mechanical engineering) talking with his personal tutor.

PATRICK, BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

I was part of the Mums and Dads scheme, which was a really great thing to be part of.

Obviously in your first year, you’re a bit nervous. You don’t really know what to expect. It’s great being given 'parents' on your course to put you at ease, tell you about their experience and just be there for you.   

My parents still message me now even though I’m no longer a first year.  Because I had such a positive experience through the Mums and Dads scheme, I wanted to give that experience to someone else and so I’m a parent myself now. It’s a really beneficial scheme for both parents and children.

I've also utilised the wellbeing advisor system. Imperial is amazing, but sometimes it can be hard. There are a lot of super-smart people here, the work is challenging and there’s always a lot going on. 

Last year, it all got a bit too much, so I went to our Wellbeing Advisor – a really lovely woman called Sandra.

She helped me manage my time better and showed me the importance of making time to rest – as well as work and play. She also pointed me towards the student counselling service, which has been a big help.

Patrick (biomedical engineering) outside the Royal Albert Hall.