We are here to support you without an appointment according to the schedule shown below. In groups and open-door events you can share your thoughts with other students and counsellors. You can also come during drop-in times for a one-to-one meeting without an appointment. The schedule for one-to-one drop-in meetings (in room Y199c, Undergraduate Centre) and online meetings (online drop-in via chat or video) are shown in the table.
| MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY |
|
10-11.30 GROUP: Theses and Tomatoes Support for thesis writing weekly |
10-11 ONLINE DROP-IN: Study and career counselling psychologists (chat/video) | 10-12 DROP-IN: Study and career counselling psychologists (SPW-room, Y199c) |
10-12 DROP-IN: Special education teacher (SPW-room, Y199c) 10-11 ONLINE DROP-IN: Study and career counselling psychologists (chat/video) |
| 12-13 Open Doors (SPW-room, Y199c) | |||
| 13-15 DROP-IN: Study and career counselling psychologists (SPW-room, Y199c) |
13-15 DROP-IN: Aalto-chaplains (SPW-room, Y199c) |
13-15 DROP-IN: Career Counsellors - Career Design Lab (SPW-room, Y199c) | 13-15 DROP-IN: Guidance counsellors (SPW-room, Y199c) |
| 15-16 DROP-IN: Career counsellors - Career Design Lab (SPW-room, Y199c) |
16-18 EVENT: Beat the Blues Events for international students three times every semester |
Drop in for advising without an appointment. These personal one-to-one meetings, lasting 20 to 30 minutes, provide advice and counselling on matters related to your study abilities and well-being. You may have questions or concerns about your studies, or about something else in life. A short discussion may give you a new outlook on subjects such as working life, motivation, and making decisions about studies, as well as on stress, loneliness, learning difficulties, etc. Listed below is additional information about the services as well as instructions on making appointments for longer individual sessions.
We can also advise you on where to find longer-term support, if necessary. If you are looking for support for a crisis or for an acute emergency, see the list of external support providers.
Aalto's study and career counselling psychologists provide online drop-in counselling (video or chat) Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10-11. They also provide walk-in counselling on campus Mondays at 13-15 and Wednesdays at 10-12 in room Y199c (Undergraduate Center, Otakaari 1).
Are you looking for help with time management, do you find yourself procrastinating or lacking motivation, are you looking for better study methods, or are you experiencing study related stress, anxiety or burnout? If these issues sound familiar, come and meet the Aalto study and career counselling psychologist to get some support and advising. You can also come and chat if you are returning to your studies after a longer break, if your life situation or health condition is affecting your studies, or if you would like to talk about your concerns related to the future and working life. They can help also, for example, if you are considering when and where to get support for wellbeing and / or study challenges, or if you are not sure if you should book an appointment.
More information and access to online drop-in counselling via this website. (Online drop-in counselling takes place in chat or video. You access by clicking "Info chat" box.)
Aalto's guidance counsellors provide walk-in counselling on campus every Thursday at 13-15 in room Y199c (Undergraduate Center, Otakaari 1) during the semesters.
Guidance counsellor can help you when you have questions such as: Am I in the right field of study? What do I want to do and what am I interested in? What options do I have regarding my studies and work? With a guidance counsellor, you can clarify your goals regarding your studies or career. You can also reflect on questions related to studying and future plans, receive support in organising your situation, as well as assistance in planning your studies and setting goals. Guidance counsellor can also help in situations where you want to discuss your studies with someone and you're unsure who to contact.
You can also book a longer individual guidance session through the MyStudies service or via email. Aalto guidance counsellors:
Drop-in counselling on campus every Tuesday at 13-15 in room Y199c (Undergraduate Center, Otakaari 1) during the semesters.
Studies are demanding and there is also much more to life than studies! Aalto chaplains provide a place for discussion to all Aalto students, regardless of belief or background. Their work is grounded in presence, listening, and absolute confidentiality. We want to support the overall wellbeing of our students. Come to talk!
You can also book a longer individual guidance session. Aalto chaplains:
Diaconical work done by the church in case of financial difficulties: Please contact Espoo lutheran church Tapiola. Mon-Thu 9-15. Phone: +358 9 8050 4400. You don't have to be a member of the church if you wish to reach out for this support.
In January 2025 begins also: Grief support group for those who have lost a loved one | Aalto University
The special education teacher provides individual counselling without appointment on campus (Otakaari 1, Y199c) between 10.00 and 12.00 on Thursdays during the academic term.
The special education teacher can help in situations where learning is difficult. If you have a diagnosed learning difficulty, illness or injury that hampers your ability to study, we can find out suitable ways for you to study despite the challenges. Or maybe you have begun to suspect that an unidentified learning difficulty, such as dyslexia or an attention deficit, may be underlying your learning challenges. We can think over these things and think up the appropriate further steps to take.
You can also make an appointment for a longer individual counselling session through the MyStudies service. You can also send an email or call Special Education Teacher Janne Mertala / janne.mertala@aalto.fi / +358 50 3450988
If you have been diagnosed with a learning difficulty, illness or injury, you may receive individual study arrangements. Get in touch with the contact person for your school. Additional information and your school’s contact person: Individual study arrangements at Aalto University
Career Design Lab career coaches are available on Tuesdays 15-16 and on Wednesdays at 13-15 in room Y199c (Otakaari 1) during the semester.
We welcome you to chat about your job search and discuss your career aspirations. You can ask questions about your CV, job application or how to prepare for a job interview. If you're worried about life after studies, we can discuss whether career coaching would suit your situation and arrange an initial appointment.
You can find out more about career design on our website and job search tips on JobTeaser > Job Search Guide. You can always reach us at careerdesignlab@aalto.fi.
Finnish Student Health Service, also known as the FSHS, is your support for your well-being and health. FSHS services are for those students who have enrolled as attending students at a Finnish university. FSHS offers general health care services, mental health care services and oral health care services. Before booking an appointment, call us or visit SelfChat online service for an assessment of your need for treatment. The health care fee for students in higher education is paid to Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. FSHS does not charge for appointments.
FSHS in also participating in SPW-events. You can read more about their services for bachelor- and master-degree students: Frontpage - FSHS (yths.fi)
Did you know that if your ability to study has decreased due to health reasons, you can request a study health meeting? In a student health meeting, the parties discuss ways to help both the student’s academic progress and recovery. It is a confidential discussion between the student and representatives of both Aalto University and the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS). The goal of the meeting is finding ways for the student to further their studies while taking care of their health and wellbeing.
At UniSport, you can do the different kinds of exercises that inspire you the most and at very affordable student prices! Everyone is welcome to UniSport, whether you are a beginner or more advanced in exercising.Take a break with UniSport and use break excercise services. Beginner's guide helps you to start excercising.
Are you at the risk of dropping out or have you already dropped out of university? Are you stuck at home? Are you afraid to leave home? Do you feel like no one is helping you? Is your life a mess? Do you find it hard to wake up in the morning? Are social situations difficult for you?
If any of the above questions resonate with you and you are a young adult aged 16–29, Vamos is here to help. Vamos’ coaching services will guide you on your journey towards the school or career of your choice.
Way to Work Coaching
Do you need help looking for work? “Way to work” coaching is for you if: You have an international background (mother tongue or home language other than Finnish or Swedish). You are 18-35 years old. You need help in finding a job or career path.
Vamos offers individual coaching where you get personal support for your situation, information about Finnish working life and job seeking. Participating is free of charge and voluntary.
If you are interested, you can call or send a message to the coach at Vamos Espoo (tel. 050 5224 831) or fill in the form Vamos Espoo tarjoaa tukea ja toimintaa Espoon seudun nuorille (hdl.fi) (Tick the box saying “Minun äidinkieli ei ole suomi tai ruotsi”. At the moment the form is in Finnish but you may write in English.)
If you live in Helsinki, you can turn to Vamos Helsinki:
If you live in Espoo, Kauniainen or Kirkkonummi, you can turn to Vamos Espoo:
Are you wondering about things like housing, income, mental well-being or job hunting? We’re here to help you move forward! Ohjaamotalo’s services are intended for young people under the age of 30.
At Ohjaamotalo’s Starttipiste, a low-threshold guidance and counselling service, you can visit without an appointment and take care of things that are relevant on in your life right now. No issue is too big or too small for us.
You can get counselling and guidance without an appointment in topics like:
• Housing advice
• Kela benefits
• Job search skills
• Walk in therapy
• Exercise guidance
• Leisure activities and hobbies
Services available by appointment:
• Mental health and substance abuse nurse
• Psychosocial support (Ohjaamo Onni)
• Financial and debt counselling
• Study guidance
Ohjaamotalo also offers open activities, group sessions and events.
For more information, locations and opening hours:
Crisis Services for Youth offers persons aged 12–29 years many services free of charge. You can talk to someone face-to-face or remotely, in a group or one-to-one. Whatever suits you best.
A list of sources of information and support in different kinds of situations in life in Finland can be found in Living in Finland | Aalto University
Finnish Mental Health Association Mieli ry, Crisis Helpline: mieli.fi/en/support-and-help/crisis-helpline
HelsinkiMissio Youth Crisis Point offers short term counselling also in English
Guidelines, selected by the Aalto study psychologists, that explain the kinds of effects crises in general can have on one’s mental health and when it would be good to seek professional health care can be found as an attachment.
Matters involving a student’s study abilities (for instance, a mental health issue or a learning difficulty) may sometimes require evaluation and support outside of Aalto University. This page addresses common concerns of students and includes sources of support that students may turn to when needed. Aalto students can also always come to the Starting Point of Wellbeing’s drop-in service for a chat or to request advice or counselling.
Here you'll find information on our groups, workshops and online materials for well-being, study skills and coping. The groups and workshops are conducted in Finnish or English. Groups, workshops and online materials for supporting wellbeing and study ability | Aalto University
Starting Point of Wellbeing is having Open Doors on every Tuesday at 12.00 - 13.00 at Otakaari 1, room Y199c. Come and join us for a coffee and learn what SPW is all about!
Read more via this link.
Are you having trouble getting started with your studies? Do you struggle to establish routines? Does studying feel like a lonely task? Would you like to study alongside others in a similar situation? Join us for guided studying and pick up tips for more effective work during Pomodoro sessions!
Read more and get Zoom-links: Start your studies with Pomodoro | Aalto University
Beat the Blues! are Wellbeing-themed events for all international students at Aalto organized by Starting Point of Wellbeing. Come as you are! We are offering a place to share experiences, make new friends and maybe learn something new about surviving - and thriving - in Finland! Read more at: Beat the Blues! brings international students together and supports wellbeing | Aalto University
The themes of the five-point wellbeing route are observation of emotions, fostering the relationship with nature, bodyliness, calming down, and reflection on moderation. The route was opened on 19.4.2023 as part of Student's Mental Health Day.
Read more: Wellbeing route opens on Otaniemi campus | Aalto University
You can download the map of the route as a PDF-attachment.
Starting Point of Wellbeing (SPW) organizes a varied program on campus. Here are some examples of established pop-up events. We will update the event information throughout the semester.
FSHS theme day on sleep and rest. Enhance your study routine! Come and chat with healthcare professionals at SPW's pop-up booth about topics related to sleep and alertness.
Visual boards on dreams and future plans: SPW organises workshops and creative afternoon sessions. Visualize your dreams or for example your future plans on a board, using materials like images and cut-out words. Creative materials will be provided but you can also bring something of your own. Coffee and tea will be available!
This page has groups, workshops and online (MyCourses) material organised by Aalto in the area of well-being. The groups and workshops are conducted in Finnish or English.
Guidance and support for study planning, study wellbeing, and career reflections for Aalto students.
Aalto’s study and career counselling psychologists offer online and on-campus individual counselling to all Aalto students (bachelor, master, doctoral and exchange students). You can drop in at the Starting Point of Wellbeing for individual counselling without an appointment.
Each Aalto student has a right to receive reasonable individual study arrangements for medical reasons. A medical reason may be dyslexia, a sensory impairment, mental health condition or learning difficulty. Individual study arrangements should not be seen as a reason to stop aiming for the set learning outcomes. Instead, they are a way of supporting the student in attaining the learning outcomes.
Examples of individual study arrangements include additional time for examinations (1 hour at Aalto), a private space or computer for examinations, or adjusted schedules.
Personal Impact brings to light already existing courses in Aalto University on values and meaningfulness, self-leadership, societal impact, human potential and well-being.
Popular course "Mind & Study - toolbox for being well in studies" will be organized in Finnish and English in the spring!
