During your time as a student you will probably encounter a variety of challenges. Both in terms of studying and personal development, you might need a little help from time to time. Find out how you can boost your well-being and who you can turn to for support.

In the well-being support group you can meet fellow students, share experiences, work on your goals, talk about emotions and much more. Well-being support groups offer a safe and confidential environment in which you can come into contact with fellow students and share your experiences. Groups consist…

As a student or PhD candidate at Leiden University, you can join a Student Support Group to build your social connections and learn more about yourself.

Students in this age group can face different challenges. For example, you may need to combine additional responsibilities with your studies and finding an internship might prove to be more tricky. In this peer support group you’ll meet with a group of 7 fellow students and a student-guide to share…

PhD-candidates can face specific challenges, such as combining education with research and navigating in a new or unfamiliar academic world. In this peer support group you will have the opportunity to talk and share experiences with a group of 7 fellow Phd-candidates and a student-guide. Note that…

Are you a first-generation student, refugee student, or a student from Suriname or the Caribbean region? A lot of students who are new to the Netherlands or the university could use a little help finding their way within the university, the Netherlands and in Dutch culture. In this peer support group…

Many students prefer studying with others rather than studying alone. It’s nice to feel you’re not on your own, and being with others who are hard at work can help you to stay motivated. In this support group you’ll study with the same group of approx. 7 fellow students on a weekly basis in one of the…

Many students prefer studying with others rather than studying alone. It’s nice to feel you’re not on your own, and being with others who are hard at work can help you to stay motivated. In this support group you’ll study with the same group of approx. 7 fellow students on a weekly basis in one of the…

Student well-being is more important than ever and is high on Leiden University’s agenda. There are many recent new initiatives, such as Well-Being Week and POPcorner The Hague. To streamline all these new initiatives and create new student well-being activities, a Student Well-Being Officer has recently…

Free workshops, sports classes and readings How can you stay both mentally and physically healthy? During the Student Well-being Week from 14 till 18 November 2022, the university would like to lend you a hand by offering free workshops, sports classes and readings. From boxing to games Would…

Leiden University and four other parties have signed a declaration in which they agree to improve the well-being of students in Leiden. They signed this Declaration on Student Well-Being on 5 April at the Leidsch Besturendiner, a dinner for student associations, universities, local government and bu…

The corona crisis has had a major impact on students. They are experiencing loneliness, motivation issues and concerns about their study progress. Although there are plenty of ideas and examples of ways in which to help, what we really need is a determined team of students who are committed to student…

It’s an important theme at the University and beyond: student well-being. Even before coronavirus, research showed that loneliness and the pressure to succeed were causing particular problems for students, and these problems have only increased since the pandemic. Work is underway to improve the sit…

We'd like to invite you to the first Wellbeing Wednesday meet-up on Wednesday March 31st at 13.00 hrs. During this first online session you will have the opportunity to meet new people and talk about anything that's on your mind. It is important to keep in contact with others, especially…

As well as gaining academic knowledge, your student days are also about self-development. How can you stay both mentally and physically healthy? During the Student Well-being Week, from 15 till 19 November 2021, the university would like to lend you a hand by offering free workshops, sports classes…

You’re not alone during these difficult times. That’s why Leiden University is organising the Student Wellbeing Weeks from 18 January till 14 February 2021. Do you want to learn more about the power of failure? Can you use a meditation lesson? Or would you like to meet people who are in a similar situation?…

On 22 September, the kick-off of the well-being student pool took place. This student pool is a group of students who have signed up to help think about relevant themes and projects and help the university become a better place. Below you can read more about the topic and results of the first meeting.…

It’s good to know you’re not alone in these strange times. That’s why Leiden University is organising the Student Wellbeing Weeks from 18 January to 14 February 2021. In these weeks we’ll help you with workshops, lectures and activities to keep you mentally and physically fit.

Student well-being is an enormously broad subject. Students and researchers can gain inspiration and exchange knowledge at the online EUniWell symposium ‘Good Practices on Student Well-Being’ on 30 September and 1 October. We take a look at the forthcoming symposium with co-organiser Jasper Bitter:…

‘There’s so much knowledge, research and experience in the field of student well-being. Let’s put this topic on the agenda, work together to promote it, and learn from each other.’ This was the message of the two-day virtual symposium on Good Practices for Student Well-Being.

Good mental health provides a strong foundation for study and work. It is important to seek help if you are not doing well. There are a range of ways in which you can work on your mental well-being. You can also turn to others for help and guidance. Take a look at the various options available.

Many students are directly or indirectly affected by the war in Ukraine. If you are from Ukraine or Russia, have lived in a conflict area yourself, or are simply concerned with what is happening in the world these days, the Buddy Service can help you find a peer to talk to. The Buddy Service connects…

As a student of Leiden University, you can join a Student Support Group to build your social connections and learn more about yourself. Student Support Groups offer a safe and confidential environment in which you can come into contact with fellow students and share your experiences. Groups consist…

Last month, research by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) revealed that more than half of students in higher professional education and at universities experience psychological complaints and emotional exhaustion, and that a quarter of them suffer from anhedonia (loss…

Studying can be a stressful time during which students may experience many kinds of mental health issues such as depression. To further understand these causes of stress, research project WARN-D (led by university professor Eiko Fried) dives into the daily lives of students living in the Netherlands.…

World Mental Health Day nature walks

In November, new peer support groups will be launched for Leiden University students who have experienced sexual harassment. If you feel the need to share your experiences with fellow survivors, you may find these groups helpful. The groups will meet at a location outside the university under the guidance…

What does it mean to be the ‘perfect student’? This is the focus of the Perspectify exhibition, which was opened on 16 November by President of the Executive Board Annetje Ottow.

Are you not feeling well or do you experience stress regularly? Would you like to work on your personal development or on your study skills? Or do you want to get in contact with fellow students or with a professional supervisor? Then visit our new student well-being-website. Here you will find tips…

Are you spending the festive season away from home? Why not get together with fellow students from all over the world during Leiden University's Winter Weeks, from 20 December 2022 till 3 January 2023. Make new friends and have a great international winter break! During the Winter Weeks you can…

Student life can be tough. It’s not easy balancing school, your social life, work, exercise, and more. That’s why it’s extra important to be aware of how you’re doing and to take good care of yourself. Join the free mental health programmes Caring Universities offers evidence-based mental health…

How do you get fit after these challenging times? How do you create a healthy lifestyle? And how do you motivate yourself to work out again? Find out during the '#COVID to #GOFIT'-week, organised by Healthy University Leiden

Student life can be tough. It’s not easy balancing school, your social life, work, exercise, and more. That’s why it’s extra important to be aware of how you’re doing and to take good care of yourself. Mental Health Check Caring Universities invites you to do the mental-health check, giving you…

University is often a period of sexual exploration and experimentation, generally to the satisfaction of all involved. But sometimes you want it and the other doesn’t. Or vice versa. Or you can’t really tell. This is what the Safe Space play at Theater Ins Blau was about on 11 October. And: can your…

As well as gaining academic knowledge, your student days are also about self-development. How can you stay both mentally and physically healthy? During the Student Well-being Week, from 15 till 19 November 2021, the university would like to lend you a hand by offering free workshops, sports classes…

Student Well-being week

EUniWell, the alliance of seven European universities committed to developing teaching and research relating to well-being, is celebrating its first anniversary. Law student Fenna van Haeften has been involved as a student representative right from the start. This October she went to Florence, where…

Work started today on the Kolffpad student complex, with 289 flats for students from Leiden University. Stichtnig DUWO will own the building and the University owns the site at the Bio Science Park. The building should be complete by mid-2023.

Come to the festive opening of the new Living Room in Plexus student centre on 16 February.

Are you a student at Leiden University, do you have no difficulty expressing your opinions, are you available for about 2 hours per month and would you like to earn some extra money while helping your university become a better place? The student well-being team is looking for you! Leiden University…

The new Students for Leiden party pulled off a stunning victory in the municipal elections. From nowhere, the party won two seats on Leiden Municipal Council. How are brand-new student councillors Mitchell Wiegand Bruss and Elianne Wijnands doing? ‘We’ve already asked questions about the quality of…

There is more and more for students to do. Visit a film festival, follow a workshop or try a sport, for example. But how can you see at a glance what’s on and whether anyone wants to join you? Download the Uni-Life app and find out.

Student psychologists

Welcome to the Student Support website of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences!

There is increased awareness of the importance of student well-being, and this has become a priority during the pandemic. Well-being was therefore quite rightly the theme of our opening of the academic year. As part of EUniWell, the European University of Well-Being collaborative project, Leiden…

Anyone in Leiden wanting to join a student association has plenty to choose from. But the risk of alcohol abuse is a very real one. Leiden University, Leiden University of Applied Sciences and dozens of student associations have signed a new alcohol covenant that promises they will do their best to…

How do the residents of the Kooi neighbourhood in Leiden find living there? What can we do about loneliness? In this extraordinary academic year, students have been conducting all sorts of research, in Leiden. They presented their initial findings and recommendations at a Learning with the City meeting…