​Book-ended by puberty and culturally defined adult roles, it is now argued that adolescence extends from age 10 to age 24. Consequently, higher education institutions must take into account that the majority (88% in 2017/2018) (Higher Education Authority, 2018) of their undergraduate students are still adolescents, with cognitive, social, emotional and self-regulatory capacities that are not yet fully mature. However, the role of “adult learner” is typically conferred on third-level students, requiring them to be organised, motivated and largely self-directed in their studies, as well as having greater responsibility for managing their own finances, leisure activities and self-care, including meal preparation and sleep, all of this within a socio-cultural environment that offers less external regulation than ever before.

"It is incredibly important to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination at school, college and university: fear of negative reactions to their mental illness stops 32% of young people with a mental health problem applying for further education.” (Time to Change campaign run by Mind and Rethink Mental Health)

University is not always the fun place where many students expect to experience ‘the time of their life.’ Nor do they automatically cope with a new way of working, especially having come from an educational institution where their teachers have been relentlessly spoon-feeding knowledge in the hope of securing examination results that satisfy Ofsted. Coping with parental expectations, fear of failure, living away from home or in another country, making new relationships and sudden financial pressures can become overwhelming.