As students across Canada prepare to return to campus this September, many are carrying heavier burdens than textbooks. From international politics and financial strain to unreliable commutes and the growing influence of technology, the challenges of student life are being amplified by forces far beyond the classroom.
For Ben Carpenter, an American studying at Carleton University in Ottawa, cross-border politics have added an edge of unease. Amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff war and controversial calls for a 51st state, Carpenter said being American in Canada feels complicated. As a gay man, he also worries about what returning to the U.S. might mean for his safety and future, even as he works toward a post-graduate work permit in Canada. “I just focus on making it through the day,” he said, noting he doesn’t want politics to overshadow his time in Ottawa.
Other students face battles closer to home. At Nipissing University, Rylande Horsman said phone and social media use often sap her ability to focus, leaving her comparing herself to peers who appear to be thriving. Fellow student Abby Noonan expressed frustration at the growing reliance on artificial intelligence for assignments, saying it undermines the value of hard work when classmates generate essays in seconds.
Transportation has become another stress point. Maeve Villeneuve-Elson, commuting daily from Stittsville to Carleton, said unreliable transit and limited parking have stretched her trips to more than two hours. “If one bus is late, it could ruin my entire day,” she said, adding that long commutes are feeding stress and burnout among students trying to balance classes, work, and social lives.
For Trent University student Iyiola Alande, finances are the biggest hurdle. Inflation, higher tuition, and rising rent have upended his ability to plan ahead. “We didn’t anticipate a consistent inflation problem,” he said, noting that international students face additional restrictions on work hours.
From political uncertainty to affordability pressures, students are heading into the new school year under strain that extends well beyond academics. For many, the question is not only how to succeed in class — but how to cope with the costs, commutes, and challenges that come with campus life in 2025.