When Your Child Is Struggling at University or College

Starting university or college is a big change. When a young person aged 18 to 22 is struggling, parents often hear about it late: missed lectures, a failed module, or a phone call saying they want to come home. Coaching can help students rebuild routines and confidence so they can stay on track, or return well if they have stepped away.

Signs to look out for

• missing lectures, deadlines or exams
• loneliness, or not having found their people
• sleeping late, staying in their room, or losing their routine
• anxiety or low mood that is affecting daily life
• drinking, cannabis use or gambling that is starting to cause problems
• talking about dropping out, or coming home and not wanting to go back

Why it happens

For many students it is the first time they are managing everything at once: study without close supervision, money, housing, friendships and their own wellbeing. Support from home is further away. Small problems can build quietly until a young person feels too far behind to catch up, and too embarrassed to say so.

What you can do now

• Keep in regular, low-pressure contact, and ask how things are going day to day, not just about grades.
• Encourage them to register with a local GP and to use their university or college wellbeing service.
• If they have come home, give them a few weeks to rest, then help them build a simple daily routine.
• Remember they are adults: offer support and options rather than taking over.

How Synapse helps

Every programme begins with a clinical assessment. Synapse considers suitability and what support is needed, and builds a personalised care plan. Students can contact Mollie directly. They meet their Coach first and decide whether to go ahead. Because they are over 18, we share progress with parents only with the young person’s agreement, unless there is a safety concern. Coaching online means it can continue during term and holidays.

Coaching is usually weekly, online (50 minutes) or in person (90 minutes) at home or another place that suits. Where therapy is needed, we bring in a registered therapist from our vetted network and coordinate the team, and our clinical team oversees the work throughout.

Every Synapse Coach has lived experience young people relate to, and that is why coaching works:

Relatability = connection = relationship = engagement = change that lasts

See our programmes and fees.

When coaching is not the right fit

Synapse is for mild to moderate difficulties. It is not the right fit for a young person in crisis, with an eating disorder that carries medical risk, or with a dependence on alcohol, drugs or gambling. If that is your situation, Mollie will help you find the right service. See what we help with.

If you need help urgently

Synapse is not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent advice, call NHS 111. See our urgent support page for other services.

Message Mollie

The first conversation with Mollie is at no charge, with no commitment. She replies within one working day, and there is no waiting list.

Message Mollie