American student Ben Carpenter was seen on campus at Carleton University in Ottawa on Friday, August 15, 2025. (The Canadian Press)
As students return to universities this fall, many say campus life feels heavier than ever. The high cost of living, endless social pressures, and tense political divisions are making school harder to manage. For some, even daily routines like studying or commuting have become overwhelming.
Cross-Border Tensions Bring Anxiety
Ben Carpenter, a fourth-year student at Carleton University, moved from the U.S. to Canada because tuition was cheaper. But studying in Ottawa during a trade fight between both countries feels uncomfortable, he said.
Carpenter avoids mentioning he is American because of the growing resentment toward the U.S.
“(Ottawa) is clearly anti-Trump,” Carpenter said. “It is also clearly anti-America, which is for good reason and doesn’t upset me.”
Carpenter also worries about his future in Canada. His partner and friends live in Ottawa, and he doesn’t want to leave them behind. As a gay man, he fears for his safety if forced to return to the U.S.
Although he qualifies for a post-graduate work permit, he said changing immigration rules in both countries keep him uneasy.
“I just focus on making it through the day,” Carpenter said. “If I do have to leave Canada then I don’t want to feel like I wasted any time.”
The Grip of Social Media and AI
At Nipissing University, Rylande Horsman said her phone is her biggest distraction. She finds it difficult to focus in the library because social media pulls her in.
“Five minutes turns into 20 minutes, 20 minutes turns into a half an hour,” Horsman said.
She added that watching peers online often makes her feel inadequate. “They seem to be doing absolutely incredible … when the reality is that everyone struggles,” she said.
Her classmate, Abby Noonan, has another concern: artificial intelligence. She said many students use AI to finish assignments.
“It’s hard to put in effort when you know someone’s generating the same essay in two seconds and they’re still getting a better grade,” Noonan said.
Long Commutes, Rising Stress
For Carleton student Maeve Villeneuve-Elson, commuting from Stittsville is exhausting. With fewer parking options and changes to transit routes, she expects her trip to take more than two hours in the evenings.
“I will go to bed stressing … if one bus is late, it could ruin my entire day,” she said.
Villeneuve-Elson fears unreliable transit could affect her job and social life. She hopes professors and employers understand the struggles students face.
The Weight of Inflation
At Trent University, Iyiola Alande said inflation is the toughest challenge. He expected the crisis to ease after the pandemic but instead it continues.
“We didn’t anticipate a consistent inflation problem,” he said.
He noted that international students face more pressure since they can only work 24 hours a week during the school year. Rising rent, tuition, and bills make planning nearly impossible.
“People think students nowadays are just lazy,” he said. “We’re just living in very, very different times.”
