I have been through my own international student journey. I have also experienced some stuff that have affected my mental health over the course of my student journey. You will have some crazy amazing times but as is life, the struggles will also be inevitable. Understanding what is happening for you will put you at an advantage when going through the difficult times.

Here are some of the things you can expect and some suggestions of how you can go about dealing with them:

• As a newly arrived student, you might find that nothing seems familiar and you might find difficulties doing or understanding things that seem easy to other people. Things like riding on public transport for the first few times, shopping in supermarkets self check outs, talking to people with a different accent. These can be intimidating but you will get better and they will seem easier with time and more practice. Understanding that you are in a new country, away from everything and everyone you know, it will take time to adjust to your new normal. So don’t beat yourself up about it, cut yourself some slack and allow yourself time to learn.

• Meeting new friends can also take a while, which can cause you to feel loneliness. To meet new people, join uni clubs that interest you, hang out with other students who are doing the same course as you, or seek out people from your country, it gives you a sense of familiarity and its also nice to know people who speak your language.

• Obviously studying in Australia is an expensive venture for your parents, and for some this might cause a feeling of guilt or burden due to the big financial cost of study on your family. There’s no point of feeling guilty, its a wasted emotion. Instead, work your ass off and be the best student to make yourself and your family proud. Take up some part-time work will also help to ease of the financial burden of your folks.

• Struggling academically can be stressful and even overwhelming. You need to know that you are not alone. This is normal and happens to a lot of us. Study hard, seek extra support from your lecturers/tutors and allocate specific time to read more on the topics or subjects you find challenging. Take control of this immediately because the longer you leave it, the further behind you fall which affects your motivation levels and negatively affects your wellbeing. Stay focussed and give it your best.

• Be careful not to leave too many issues unresolved. Avoidance of your problems will result to indulgence in habits that are detrimental to your overall wellbeing. So stay out of trouble, avoid procrastination, attend your classes, do your assignments and take care of yourself. If you have to drink, do it responsibly. Avoid indulging in excess alcohol and other drugs or hanging out in circles that will be detrimental to you, instead use that time to handle your business.

P.S I give this advise from my experience and that of some of my students. So pay attention and I hope some of these tips will be helpful.