Teenager Priyal Sanghavi talks about the stress that accompanies living abroad away from home and how to deal with it.
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Squealing and crying soon after I was born, disguised the first words I ever spoke. The first words that I spoke every day during my college life were “Sumitra, get the tea.” So when I left for higher studies to London, instead of friends and family, the person I missed the most was my maid, Sumitra. Every aspect of my day reminded me of her. Every morning the nagging sounds of my mom trying to wake up were missing.
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Every morning reminded me of how I’d much rather be back at home with my family. Every morning was a new case study of stress.
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Manage Time
I had to get out of bed and wage daily snoozing battles with the alarm clock. Being late for class resulted in angry glares by the professors, not a good way to create a first impression. The next big thing is breakfast. No more piping hot food ready at the dining table, it’s up to you. Since you are already late, there is no time to prepare food.
Tip
Make a daily schedule. Try to sleep well in time so you get the required hours of sleep. This will come in handy on those days when assignments keep you up all night. For breakfast, cereal is a healthy option on days when you don’t have time to cook. Frozen foods and ready-to-eat packets work well only as a one-off option. Fruits are always a healthy choice and require the least work from your end. Besides it keeps your nutrition in check.
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Clean Up Your Act
After a long day, your messy room welcomes you “home”. No one to do your laundry, pick up the trash, clean and buy groceries. Life suddenly turns into an obstacle course hitherto unheard off especially if you have never done your own dishes or hung clothes out to dry. Mundane housework that you looked down upon occupies most of your day and if you neglect it, it piles up adding to your stress levels.
Tip
Accept that doing housework is a part of the way of life abroad. Well, at least finances leave you with little choice on that front. By piling up the dishes or clearing up the room on a weekly basis, you allow yourself to remain stressed over the nagging feeling of the unfinished task at hand. Spend extra time, get over with the chore and then go relax. There’s nothing worse than a sink full of dishes staring at you when you stumble into the kitchen to make your first cup of coffee.
***
Handle roommate woes
University halls of residence ensure you are never alone. This, however means adjusting to students of other nationalities. Complaints of dirty kitchens, using other’s belongs, noise and unclean bathrooms are very common. You already have your own chores to worry about and you suddenly spot your dirty vessels your flat mate used without permission. If you choose to move in with friends, untreated problems may cause dents your relations.
Tip..
The idea of flat mates is a serious test of your adjusting skills. Ensure you demarcate your space well and respect theirs. Realise that they come from different cultures and respect that. Divide the work at home accordingly so that neither feels over burdened.
***
Check your accounts
Expenses is one of the biggest headaches. Tantrum-throwing for extra pocket money usually gets you what you want. Here, your expenditure also include house costs, phone bills and transport cost apart from the shopping and partying if you manage to save up for that. No more Daddy dearest to bail you out on emergencies.
Tip..
Bring out your notepad or take Microsoft Excel Seriously. When you’re studying abroad you have to look into the inflow and outflow of money otherwise you will be broke by the third week of the month. Every month make a list of things you want to shop and what they’re worth. Then make a budget of the grocery, phone and travel expenses. Try and save on that and with the money saved you can shop.
***
Every morning reminded me of how I’d much rather be back at home with my family. Every morning was a new case study of stress.
***
Manage Time
I had to get out of bed and wage daily snoozing battles with the alarm clock. Being late for class resulted in angry glares by the professors, not a good way to create a first impression. The next big thing is breakfast. No more piping hot food ready at the dining table, it’s up to you. Since you are already late, there is no time to prepare food.
Tip
Make a daily schedule. Try to sleep well in time so you get the required hours of sleep. This will come in handy on those days when assignments keep you up all night. For breakfast, cereal is a healthy option on days when you don’t have time to cook. Frozen foods and ready-to-eat packets work well only as a one-off option. Fruits are always a healthy choice and require the least work from your end. Besides it keeps your nutrition in check.
***
Clean Up Your Act
After a long day, your messy room welcomes you “home”. No one to do your laundry, pick up the trash, clean and buy groceries. Life suddenly turns into an obstacle course hitherto unheard off especially if you have never done your own dishes or hung clothes out to dry. Mundane housework that you looked down upon occupies most of your day and if you neglect it, it piles up adding to your stress levels.
Tip
Accept that doing housework is a part of the way of life abroad. Well, at least finances leave you with little choice on that front. By piling up the dishes or clearing up the room on a weekly basis, you allow yourself to remain stressed over the nagging feeling of the unfinished task at hand. Spend extra time, get over with the chore and then go relax. There’s nothing worse than a sink full of dishes staring at you when you stumble into the kitchen to make your first cup of coffee.
***
Handle roommate woes
University halls of residence ensure you are never alone. This, however means adjusting to students of other nationalities. Complaints of dirty kitchens, using other’s belongs, noise and unclean bathrooms are very common. You already have your own chores to worry about and you suddenly spot your dirty vessels your flat mate used without permission. If you choose to move in with friends, untreated problems may cause dents your relations.
Tip..
The idea of flat mates is a serious test of your adjusting skills. Ensure you demarcate your space well and respect theirs. Realise that they come from different cultures and respect that. Divide the work at home accordingly so that neither feels over burdened.
***
Check your accounts
Expenses is one of the biggest headaches. Tantrum-throwing for extra pocket money usually gets you what you want. Here, your expenditure also include house costs, phone bills and transport cost apart from the shopping and partying if you manage to save up for that. No more Daddy dearest to bail you out on emergencies.
Tip..
Bring out your notepad or take Microsoft Excel Seriously. When you’re studying abroad you have to look into the inflow and outflow of money otherwise you will be broke by the third week of the month. Every month make a list of things you want to shop and what they’re worth. Then make a budget of the grocery, phone and travel expenses. Try and save on that and with the money saved you can shop.
***
When you live abroad, you start your whole life from scratch. Right from setting up a home to meeting new people, it’s a brand new experience. There is no family to come home to, just friends you make. Studying abroad doesn’t just educate you, it teaches you how to live independently. The joy of cooking edible meals is equivalent to meeting your idol. These little victories are work all the stress……..
When you live abroad, you start your whole life from scratch. Right from setting up a home to meeting new people, it’s a brand new experience. There is no family to come home to, just friends you make. Studying abroad doesn’t just educate you, it teaches you how to live independently. The joy of cooking edible meals is equivalent to meeting your idol. These little victories are work all the stress……..
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