Best Strategies to Defeat Loneliness
International students which
means those who come to the UK to study may face a typical problem of
loneliness. It is because they often leave their families and friends in their
home countries to live by themselves. Such a situation can be a great opportunity
for those students to improve their language skills, to widen their horizons
and, most importantly, to gain education. However, for many students it means
loneliness because they do not know anyone and finding new friends often turns
out to be more difficult than they expected. Such issues may be long-lasting
because students from abroad who use English as a second language may not feel
courage to talk to others and so they become isolated, even in a crowded
lecture room. But, what can be done to solve the issue of
loneliness?
Alison
Barty, Head of Counselling Service at SOAS University
of London suggested few methods worth trying. One of them is to talk to someone
at your university. It could be your tutor or an advisor. You could contact
them by email if you do not feel comfortable talking to them face to face. Talking
with them about how you feel and how it affects your studies could make you
feel better. Many universities also have a Student Nightline which
is a phone or email service where you can anonymously seek advice. So, talking with
others is a crucial step fight loneliness.
Volunteering can also be a great chance to meet others with similar hobbies. Besides, by choosing a volunteering vacancy which relates to your interests you can spend time pleasantly and gain experience in a particular field.
Introducing a routine to one’s life is also going to be helpful as it is advantageous for your wellbeing, as Mrs Barty says. It involves having regular meals and sleeping patterns. Physical activities which can include dance, sport or walking are also good for your mental state. It is because while you exercise your body releases endorphins. These chemicals are produced in a brain, spinal cord and other parts of a body. Their main role is to reduce perception of pain because of interaction with a brain’s receptors. But, they also make you look at the world in a more positive way. Therefore, regular exercises reduce stress and feelings of depression. Additionally, they improve self-esteem and make you fall asleep more easily.
In addition to exercises, you could try to enjoy being alone by praying, reading a good book or watching a film. Besides, listening to a relaxing music or any other type you like can help you reduce stress. There are also plenty of other opportunities to have a good time which depend on your interests. But, it does not mean that you have to stay home because of loneliness. On the opposite, you can go to a cinema, a museum or a concert. So, you can spend some time alone very productively and pleasantly. Besides, lack of friends will help you to focus on your studies.
But, if your loneliness is very problematic and nothing helps you can seek professional advice. Even outside of your university you can get help from your GP, a therapist or a psychologist.
In conclusion, feeling lonely is a common problem among students, especially those from abroad who have no one in the whole country. However, there are plenty of opportunities to deal with it such as talking with your tutor and other students, taking part in volunteering, introducing routine to your life and starting to exercise. You can also learn to enjoy being alone or to seek professional help if the problem is severe.
Image Source: https://www.englishminds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Lonely-student.jpg