Tips for managing stress as a newcomer student
Cloris, a member of School Mental Health Ontario’s Newcomer Student Working Group, and a newcomer to Canada herself, shares her favourite strategies for managing stress.
I’m often stressed when I feel that I’ve lost my direction. For example, if I can’t integrate into this new environment, I will worry about my future. Or if I’m on my phone for too long, I will be stressed with my homework.
One method I use to manage stress is finding the area or “path” that suits me. For example, if I notice that trying to make a large group of friends leaves me feeling unconfident and takes up too much of my time, I’ll accept that I might be more naturally introverted and that a smaller social circle suits me better. I tried to find my lane and found that it actually works for me!
There are other strategies that I recommend:
- Sketch while listening to music. If you’re someone who likes art, just like me, then this may work for you! Discover the beauty in your daily life and draw it in your notebook. It could be something abstract that expresses your emotions, or something realistic like a dress, a pair of shoes, or even your own character. For example, I love drawing while listening to recordings of music shows. It inspires me a lot and comforts my negative emotions as well.
- Exercise is a wonderful way to manage stress. Whether you choose to go for a walk, play volleyball (I recommend this one!), or walk your dog, moving your body can make your worries go away. You get the chance to breathe fresh air and stretch your muscles, and the dopamine released by exercise makes you feel better.
- Eat some delicious food. If one bite of a delicious meal can’t drive your bad mood away, then two might work! Healthy, nourishing foods like fruits, veggies, or nuts can do more than just taste good—they provide nutrients that support your brain and help improve your mood. Taking care of your body with good food can improve your mental health so you can be well prepared to manage your stress.
- Get enough sleep. We can’t work effectively when we’re dizzy or sleepy, so if we want to work better and have the energy to manage our stress, we have to first get enough sleep.
- Listen to the rain. When you’re stressed out, try listening to recordings of the rain online, or open your window if it’s raining outside. There’s nothing better than a warm bed, the sound of rain, and a fluffy pillow.
Finding and using strategies that work for you can be hard at first, but with practice, they can become habits in your daily life. Whenever I felt stressed, I would first listen to some soft music to calm down and reflect on what I could do to feel better. Over time, I started doing regular check-ins with myself on my mental health. To be honest, it was hard at first—when you’re stressed, it’s tough to think clearly. But with the support from my family, I eventually made these strategies a part of my routine.
My advice to other newcomer students—and students in general—is not to push yourself too hard. Even when you’re in a difficult situation, trust that you’ll find a way to solve the problem. Even if you can’t, remember that you’re in charge of yourself, and it’s okay to ask for help to get through things. You can reach out to friends or caring adults in your life like teachers, caregivers, parents, faith leaders, and coaches. And you can even contact helplines like Kids Help Phone to let someone know.
Most importantly, trust yourself and remember that everyone is unique and awesome in their own way. If you’re struggling in one area, like a certain subject, that doesn’t mean you’re not good enough—it might mean you have amazing talents in other areas! Keep believing in yourself, discover what works for you, and know that there are always people who will support the wonderful person you are.
Note: Cloris was a member of School Mental Health Ontario’s Newcomer Student Working Group. Together, with others in the working group, Cloris helped to develop a variety of resources for newcomer students. Check them out:
For more on reaching out and asking for help check out these resources and helplines: