The death of a loved one can have a major impact on students. Other types of loss such as the end of a relationship or loss of health can affect you in a similar way. Your world seems to be falling apart and you often feel disconnected from your peers. The people around you are usually caring and supportive at first, but after a while, life goes back to normal. Everyone but you moves on and that can make you feel very lonely, angry and helpless as you grieve. That’s very normal. There’s no manual for grief, everyone experiences it differently.

Fortunately, there’s support available to help you grieve.

The University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (HU) offers a free programme called ‘ Veerkrachtig rouwen ’ (in Dutch). It’s available through the Student Support Centre. “In this training we reflect on the impact major life events have on us. We also help you get back to your life and your studies.”

Good Mourning is a similar free support group for students of Utrecht University (UU). Upon
registration, you’ll be invited for an individual intake interview.

The New Connective is a platform of young people who organise workshops, trainings and discussion groups. They also have grief support groups for students.

In this Podcast by Trajectum, HU student Jelle Meuwissen discusses loss and grief with grief expert Tanja van Roosmalen (in Dutch).

UU student and journalist Lisanne Sadelhoff wrote ‘Je bent jong en je rouwt wat’ (Young and grieving), a book about her mother’s death. It’s not a manual on how to cope with loss, but it may help you when you’re going through a grieving process. 

HKU student Marije van der Hoeven made a graduation film about her own loss called ‘Rauw’ (Raw).