After three years as an international student at TRU, Waris Patel, a second-year BSc biology student, reflects on the impact of homesickness and loneliness on mental health. Here, she shares the strategies she’s curated with the help of Counselling Services, Supplemental Learning and the Medical Clinic to build a community and enjoy moments of solitude. “So many support services are available on campus, and lots of staff, faculty, and peers that want to help and see you succeed,” Patel said.

Strategies and suggestions:

• Get out there: “TRU has a lot of places and events; I attended the TRUSU Winter Bash, and it was a great way to meet people and see the sparkly lights. Even if you don’t feel like it, being social can help uplift your mood. You don’t have to actively seek out conversation; you can always sip a hot chocolate and people watch.”
• Check out LEAP interactive events: This programming offers many opportunities to see this beautiful region: discover waterfalls, lakes, and rivers; see forests, deserts, grasslands, and mountains; interact with people from all around the world; taste different foods; and make new cultural connections.
• Join clubs. “I usually go to the Bangladeshi club, Indian club, and music club for weekly or monthly meet-ups, depending on time and schedule.
• Consider peer mentorship opportunities: Next on Patel’s list of goals is to further engage with various student leadership roles that promote services, create content and pair mentors with mentees. These experiences allow you to earn a little money, foster professional development and provide resume-boosting opportunities.
• Pace yourself: Enjoy workshops, fitness classes, and events, but strike a balance so you do not get too exhausted. Patel noted that she would over-schedule fun outings, leading to burnout. In particular, for introverts, recharging the social battery can only occur when you are alone. Patel “curled up and watched a lot of Christmas movies over the winter break.” If that leads to a lovely afternoon nap, then so be it!
• Make space for post-exam processing: When hyperfocused on a project, assignment or exam, it can be very deflating or draining once you’re done. “The days following exam season are always hard to process. During that time, I tried to focus on my well-being, listen to my body, catch up on sleep and attend any clubs that were still happening.”
• Prepare for (and expect) the winter blues: Patel recommends getting some budget-friendly glow lights from Amazon – light theory plays an important role. “It’s also important to know that despite best efforts, the blues may still happen – so don’t feel discouraged. Winter blues can occur because it’s cold and the days are short. I needed more sleep than usual, so I was trying to find ways to get that extra rest.”
• Learn a new activity: “I started learning guitar last winter and am now learning how to knit. Learning new things outside of the classroom is good, and keeping your hands busy means less time scrolling on your phone.”
• Go with the flow: After many outings, Patel discovered she didn’t always thrive in large groups. Preferences and strategies can shift over time, and while it may be scary, it’s not always bad. It’s important to recognize and acknowledge those changes.
• Prevent illness through nutrition: Patel excluded fast food from her diet and eats a lot of fruit; “I also take vitamins. Frozen and canned fruit are good alternatives for fresh fruit when money is tight.”
• Go outside: Take a moment to catch your breath and clear your head by walking around the block or out in nature. “If you need to move but feel overwhelmed by the idea, just commit to 5-10 minutes – by the time that time is up, you’re most likely in a better headspace to keep going.”
• Stay indoors: It’s also okay to be cozy, especially if it’s cold or snowing outside. Stretch gently, breathe deeply, sip tea and use a meditation app or YouTube to find a yoga video. Ani Gawa Khandro from the Multi-Faith Chaplaincy offers mindful meditations to help you ground yourself.

Counsellor Mark Zhang, who facilitates the Sense of Belonging series on campus, notes that Patel’s efforts and intentions are great examples of social engagement and personal development. “Wanting to belong is a basic human need and can positively impact our overall well-being. Experiencing connection and community can lead to higher self-esteem and life satisfaction. Belonging is a foundational piece which contributes to emotional safety and the security of being authentic.

Learn more about support systems at TRU through tru.ca/current.