Moving thousands of miles away from your family and friends to a completely different country can seem daunting, not to mention a major life and cultural transition. You may be communicating in a different language that you’re not used to, facing cultural barriers or it may be that moving away for the first time from your family home has you struggling with homesickness. Adjusting to change and becoming independent in a new country are just some of the things you will likely experience when moving to university – here are tips on overcoming potential barriers, stepping out of your comfort zone and adjusting to university life. 

• Expect to be nervous – humans are hardwired to hate uncertainty and everyone who is entering university is probably feeling as nervous as you! It’s completely normal to feel anxious – know you are not alone. Be yourself, relax and take the time to embrace the first few weeks. Attending the welcome and induction week will allow you to be exposed to other international students and obtain the opportunity to further immerse yourself to campus events, activities, societies and clubs

• Take time to explore your surroundings. Navigate through your campus and get used to walking around and remembering different buildings. Study your university map and walk around campus and take the time to navigate through libraries, classrooms, dining halls, etc. 

• Organise your timetable – take the time to understand your timetable and start planning your tasks and what your daily schedule will look like. Plan ahead and manage your time. Know and write down your priorities. Make to-do lists and structure your day – this will help you tackle a work-life balance and allow you to make more time for recreational activities and do more of what you love

• Overcoming homesickness to help you adapt faster and better. Settling into a different country, adapting to other cultures and adjusting to university life, in general, can cause you to feel homesick. This is where your self-care comes into place. Keep in touch with family and friends through Skype, regular calls or the internet. Make connections with your Student Union and establish a routine to keep busy. Joining societies is also a great way to meet other students and some groups will have societies for those from different countries e.g. Middle Eastern Society, Polish Society, Turkish Society, etc.

• Take care of your mental and physical health, too. Making sure you’re eating a balanced and varied diet is also a crucial part of your overall health being. You are what you eat so relying too much on junk food will not only affect your overall health but also the ability to concentrate and learn in class. You can try to incorporate more fruits and vegetables in your meals. Make a shopping list and take the time to cook more. Exercise more by joining a gym membership, a sport you enjoy or take regular walks outside the campus. Take regular breaks to support your mental health and wellbeing. Do activities you enjoy but maintain balance so you don’t overload yourself. De-clutter your living space which will increase your ability to focus more. Establish an evening routine by trying to sleep at the same time every day and set up a regular sleeping pattern