“Practical tips to smooth out the transition into Canadian society and culture”

Adapting to life in Canada is a journey filled with challenges, from navigating diverse cultural norms to surviving the unpredictable weather. As a fellow newcomer who made the solo move, let’s dive into some practical tips to make your Canadian experience smoother.

Food: Mastering the Art of Meal Prep

Say farewell to piping hot meals and welcome to the world of pantry chefs. Ever created a culinary masterpiece from the random contents of your pantry? My personal masterpiece: spaghetti and ketchup with two slices of bread and a pack of hot Cheetos. To avoid a plate looking like a bizarre art project, plan your meals over the weekend.

Create a list of two main meals (for lunch and dinner), two breakfast options, and one ‘cheat’ meal (for when you get bored). Make a grocery list and get cooking. Suddenly, your kitchen becomes a well-oiled, money-saving machine. Goodbye, absurd lunch expenses and, seriously, ketchup does NOT belong on pasta (trust me).

Education: Work, Study, Repeat

Balancing work and study schedules is an acquired skill. If you’re juggling part-time work, create a schedule that aligns with your classes and study sessions.

Pro-tip: Mark important exams and revision days on your work calendar. Proactively communicate your availability to your employer, especially during critical academic dates.  To avoid causing yourself potential problems, it’s much easier to say, “I can’t work that day” a few weeks in advance.

Also, remember to make time for yourself. College life is a balancing act, and it’s easy to get lost between deadlines and studying. Don’t forget to breathe and occasionally binge-watch Netflix. Tell yourself you’re only going to take a 30-minute nap, but really you’ll be waking up by 7 p.m. all red-eyed and confused. College life? Mastered.

Friends: Connecting Beyond Borders

Missing familiar faces from back home? Join a cultural association or campus club. Canada is a cultural mosaic, and there’s likely a group that aligns with your background. Not able to find one? Start your own, and you might be surprised by the number of kindred spirits eager to join your venture.

I’m part of a Nigerian community outside of college — they’re my go-to for everything. Confused about where to open a bank account? They got me. Wondering where to get ingredients native to your home? They got me. It feels good to share experiences with fellow immigrants, bond over fond memories and swap cultural shock stories.

P.S. For African students, consider joining the Pan-African association at USask. They host awesome events to bring the Black community together.

Health: Winter Survival 101

Winter in Canada is no joke. Prepare for the chill early on — get some toques, learn to layer clothing, and maybe even train for friendly penguin-like waddles on icy sidewalks.

No need for winter anxiety. Just invest in quality winter wear, check the weather before leaving and go for removable layers. Pro tip: Check the ratings of a winter coat before buying — -30 to -40°C resistance is ideal (let’s hope it doesn’t get that cold). And, for the love of warmth, never forget your gloves. I once spent 20-30 minutes in -20°C weather without them. Spoiler: I cried myself to sleep that night. Tip: Don’t be like me; always keep gloves in your backpack or coat.

Cover your ears with earmuffs or use the hood of your coat, and consider a balaclava for your face. I personally just tie a scarf around my face up to my nostrils. Yes, my glasses fog up, and I walk half-blind to the bus stop. But hey, at least my face doesn’t feel like it’s auditioning for a role in a winter horror movie.

More Education, Help Desks Are Your Best Friend

Struggling with that course that keeps you up until 11:59 p.m.? We’ve all been there. College is hard, and courses make up 90 percent of why college life is tough.

Take advantage of the resources each course provides. If your professors allow it, attend more than one lab a week as needed. Stay in contact with your professors, and ask for clarification on your assignments if you feel it’s necessary (don’t wait until the due date — professors probably hate that). Attend the help desk or office hours, and if the person next to you isn’t helpful, try the person on your other side.