Raqshanda Khan

I am currently pursuing a Master of Global Affairs at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto. 

How did you de-stress as a student? 

I used to go to the gym weekly and started the UTM Running Club, holding group running sessions indoors and outdoors on-campus. I also made it a point to go to one social event on-campus every month, especially at the end of the semester, to celebrate my friends and I's hard work and effort into the semester. 

What was the biggest transitional issue you faced when you started at UTM?

When I started university, the biggest transitional challenge was transforming from a high school student to a university student. I had to increase my capacity to manage larger workloads, be more organized, and manage my time more effectively. I had to learn to work ahead of time when studying and writing papers and not leaving these to the night before the deadlines. 

What motivated you as a student in your program? 

At this difficult time, being motivated is challenging for students, especially with a lack of social connection and being stuck at home and staring at the screen all day long. Anything that I suggest from my time would sound entirely irrelevant –but nothing is impossible. I think ensuring that you are looking after your mental and physical health is paramount. Going for walks or doing yoga at home, staying connected with family and friends over phone calls, sleeping, and eating well are essential elements that I encourage students to include in their routines. These have worked for me in the past year, and I am sure they will help students cope and build resilience while managing schoolwork, extracurricular and professional development activities.