When to see the student psychologist?
Student psychologists have expertise in different study and student related topics, like:
- Study(stress)
- Fear of failure
- Low self-confidence
- Overthinking
- Procrastination
- Difficulties with motivation/concentration
- Study choice/Reorientation
- Exam fear/Fear of public speaking
- ...
Perhaps you are struggling with other (psychological) complaints or problems than the ones listed above, like:
- Dependence on alcohol, drugs and other substances
- Experiencing transgressive behaviour
- Problems in your home situation
- Relationship problems
- Loss experiences
- Sleep problems
- Self-injurious behaviour
- Dark thoughts
- ...
For this, you're also more than welcome to visit a student psychologist for an intake session. The student psychologist will work with you to find appropriate help.
Make an appointment
What can you expect from an intake session?
During a 50-minute intake session, you and the student psychologist will discuss your request for support and which type of support best matches your situation. Sometimes, this single conversation is enough to help you move forward and continue independently afterwards. If additional support is recommended, individual guidance with a student psychologist can be started, or you can explore together which external support services may be most appropriate.
What does further guidance look like?
If you and the student psychologist decide to start individual guidance, you can make use of both guidance sessions and follow-up sessions during your studies at VUB.
Guidance sessions last 50 minutes and provide an opportunity to work together with the student psychologist on challenges related to your studies and to move towards your desired situation. The aim is to improve your study progress and student wellbeing. You can attend a maximum of 8 guidance sessions of 50 minutes during your studies at VUB.
Follow-up sessions last 25 minutes and are intended as a short check-in with the student psychologist. You discuss how you are doing, evaluate your progress, raise any questions you may have, and consider what support is most appropriate at that moment. A maximum of 10 follow-up sessions per academic year can be scheduled.
Throughout the guidance process, the support provided is regularly reviewed to ensure it continues to meet your needs. If additional support is needed, the available options will be explored together.
Plan your intake session
- Can't see any available slots?
- The calendar only shows appointments up to 30 days in advance. Check regularly over the next few days, as new slots become available almost every day.
- In the meantime, take a look at the online self-help materials or join a group session with a student psychologist.
- Need a chat right now?
- You can visit the Study Guidance Meeting Point any working day without an appointment. A colleague from Study Guidance will be happy to listen to you.
Check the contact details and opening hours.
- You can visit the Study Guidance Meeting Point any working day without an appointment. A colleague from Study Guidance will be happy to listen to you.
- Plan a session via one of the links below:
Appointment at VUB Main Campus Online appointmentAppointments in Dutch
Frequently asked questions
Are you still hesitating to make an appointment or do you have questions about the appointments? We have listed the most frequently asked questions for you here. Still have another question? You can always visit the Meeting Point Study Guidance.
How much does an appointment cost?
Nothing! The whole support offer of Study Guidance is free for all VUB students.
āTo talk in confidenceā ā¦ what does that exactly mean?
Student psychologists have professional secrecy. This means that they can't share information with others (parents, professors, etc.) unless they get explicit permission of the student. In the framework of āshared professional secrecy of psychologistsā, psychologists are allowed to discuss confidential data together to improve the efficiency of their guidance work.
How do I prepare for my intake meeting?
An intake meeting is an opportunity to explore together what is on your mind and what you would like to change or understand better. Think about questions such as: What is my request for help? What do I hope to achieve? What is difficult for me? When do things go better, and what do I do differently then?
Would you like to prepare further or get started on your own? There is a lot of online support material available on various topics. You will often find information or exercises that can help you, both while waiting for a meeting and in preparation for it.
- Powerful tips & tricks? Check out our Infographics.
- Extensive self-help modules? Discover the Canvas course.
- Do you like learning in a group? Take a look at our group sessions ā you will find all group sessions there each semester.
Many students find that these tools help them make progress. This allows the intake meeting to be more in-depth: What has already helped, what hasn't, and what would you like to explore further?
Who are the student psychologists?
A whole team of student psychologists is ready to support you. When booking an appointment, you will be randomly assigned to one of them. All student psychologists treat all topics. Of course, everyone has their own personal style and they know that itās important to make a connection.
Where do the conversations take place?
When booking an appointment, you can indicate whether you would like to have a conversation on VUB Main Campis, VUB Health Campus or online via Microsoft Teams. You will find the exact location details in your confirmation email which you will receive right after booking an appointment. Please read these instructions carefully.
For future appointments, you'll always be able to choose to have the session online or on campus. You can discuss these options after your first appointment with your psychologist.
Is there a waiting time?
Depending on the period, there can be a waiting time for the intake meeting. In the booking tool you can see when the first free moment is.
Some tips:
- Check the different appointment tools; online and on campus. For each appointment, you have the option between online and on campus meetings.
- Keep an eye on the appointment tool on a regular basis. Sometimes, new free time slots become available.
- You can book an intake meeting at the earliest 30 days in advance.
In between the intake meeting and the start of individual guidance, there is no waiting time. Weāre trying to make sure that regular guiding sessions are possible for every student.
Who can make an appointment?
Who can start an individual guidance programme with a student psychologist?
All VUB students enrolled in a Bachelor's programme, Master's programme, Bridging programme, Preparatory programme, credit contract, microcredentials programme or Advanced Master (without pay linked to the Advanced Master). Future VUB students are of course also welcome for an intake session to discuss your study choice.
Who cannot start an individual guidance programme with a student psychologist?
VUB students who are enrolled in an exam contract or in a postgraduate programme or VUB students who receive a salary within their programme, such as PhD students and students of the Advanced Master "Specialistische geneeskunde".
We would like to refer these VUB students to our DIY material and our well-being page.
- Are you a PhD student? Then you can use the same mental health services as employees.
- Are you a student of the Advanced Master "Specialistische geneeskunde"? Then you can find an overview of all wel-being initiatives specific to this course here.
Iām not sure if youāll be able to help me with my problem
No problem! Just book an intake session and we will look into your guiding question together and take a look at what type of support would best fit your needs.
How can I cancel my appointment?
If you can no longer attend your scheduled appointment, we ask you to cancel in time. That way, other students can plan in an intake as well.
To cancel an appointment, click on the āRescheduleā button under "Reservation details" in your confirmation email, which you got after booking the intake. This link will take you to the Bookings page, where you can cancel or reschedule your appointment.
Important: If you would like to cancel the appointment less than 17 hours before the start, you cannot do this yourself via the digital system anymore. If this is the case for you, please contact us via guidance@vub.be or at +32 2 629 23 06 within our work hours.
I have another question
You can ask your questions via e-mail to guidance@vub.be. We will answer all questions within 3 working days.
General mental well-being
Are you struggling with (psychological) complaints such as self-injurious behaviour, dark thoughts, coping with a loss experience, relationship problems, ... Check out our tips & tricks or get to know other support services.
Do it yourself
During your life, all kinds of struggles can come your way, both inside and outside your studies. Good mental and physical health can support you to face these challenges.
Would you like to learn more about certain mental challenges? Check out the following infographics.
First aid for self-injury Dealing with dark thoughts Dealing with grief
Referral
With the referral flyer Navigating your Well-being you have a practical tool to help yourself or others with psychological complaints. This flyer provides an overview of resources and contact points where you can go for professional support.
Do you find it difficult to assess which support will benefit you? You are very welcome to visit the student psychologist for an intake session. The student psychologist will then work with you to find appropriate help.