Eight ways to live your best life as an international student in the UK

MSc Public Health and Community Wellbeing student Charles shares his tips for getting the most out of studying in the UK as an international student.

1. Stay in touch with family/home

The early time of your arrival might be quite challenging. It presents with a spectrum of interchanging feelings from loneliness, subtle depressive episodes and culture shock in varying degrees of expression.

Staying in touch with home helps fill in the gap and boosts your coping tendency. Consider this a foundation to build your adaptability.

2. Take good pictures

The UK has a beautiful serenity and there is always something fascinating about the environment. Do not deny your phone camera lens of the beauty.

Capture the moments, make them beautiful, reflect on them, it creates that prompt about something new happening with you and how you are not stagnant.

Share those moments also if you are not afraid of your village people (hahaha), enjoy and engage with the positive compliments when they come. Live your life.

3. Do not miss your lectures

For a student in the UK, academics is always primary and top priority. Be happy to show up for your classes.

It is also a way to engage yourself, to reduce the chances getting lost in the strange situation of a new environment.

4. Make some money

Maximize your 20 hours and holidays to earn yourself some money.

Personally, nothing affects my mental health more positively than having money in my bank account. Within your budget, get yourself a new pair of shoes, nice trousers, or a fancy jacket, it is a good reward.

5. Visit places

There are lots of places to explore within and outside the UK. Be open to learning about the different cultures and meeting people from different parts of the world. It is a lifetime worthy experience.

6. Start your assessments early

The anxiety of having a pending assessment will stop you from living your best life any time.

7. Volunteer

Volunteering has enormous positive impact in your personal life, career, and future. From expanding your network, to gaining experience and adding colour to your CV, all of these have the potential to increase your employability prospects.

8. Have a goal and a plan

Think about life after university and what you want to do. The best time to plan is now.

Charles studies MSc Public Health and Community Wellbeing at ARU. Find out more about this and other degree courses at one of our Open Days.