Published Dec 08, 202522 minute readUPEI students write letters about affordable housing, mental health and other topics. Photo by The Guardian /FileArticle contentWork-life balance importantTHIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentI saw a Facebook community post about how important maintaining a healthy work-life balance is for adults and it was more towards mothers or fathers who have family to take care of. Although it was a helpful and important area of discussion, the importance of work-life balance for those of us who also have added responsibilities or totally different sets of responsibilities, like college or university students, is almost never spoken about.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentAlmost every university or college student I have met in my time in Canada has often complained about how stressful it is to balance work and college to have time for themselves. Some of the most common reasons for this was inflation and the rising cost of living, heavy academic workload.Article contentIt was also evident that international students dealt with an even greater level of financial struggle due to higher tuition fees. Due to these issues, students often struggle to maintain a good social life and strong connections, leading to depression, stress and burnout.Article contentThese concerns made me wonder if there were any services or help that can help students deal with the issue of improper work-life balance. And I was surprised to find that while most universities do offer counselling services for students to deal with issues like this, they are mostly hidden and never talked about.Article contentArticle contentThis issue needs to be talked about more while also raising awareness on the available resources students can use for help.Article contentZayan Ghiasudeen,Article contentUPEI studentArticle contentArticle contentWhales deserve a better lifeArticle contentThe current situation regarding Marineland’s beluga whales in Ontario is absolutely devastating. Many people thought closing the park’s doors would lead to a better life for their aquatic mammals, but this has recently proven to be untrue. Thirty beluga whales have been threatened with euthanasia after a request for their export to China was denied by the Canadian government.Article contentI feel that Canada should have protective measures in place to prevent this level of cruelty from occurring to animals.Article contentWhen these whales were acquired by Marineland, they also acquired a duty to care for them. Now that the park has closed and funds have dwindled, they should still be required to provide for the animals under their custody. If they are financially unable to follow through on this commitment, then the animals should be surrendered to the province until a better solution is found.Article contentAfter all the poor treatment these whales have faced at the hands of Marineland, the last thing they deserve is to be put to death because they can no longer be used for human amusement. These whales deserve a better end to their traumatic lives.Article contentAnimals in captivity should not be faced with the threat of death once they are no longer able to entertain us. Regulations must be put in place to prevent unnecessary euthanasia from occurring on healthy animals who still have long lives to live. Suffering in the entertainment industry or euthanasia should not be the only options for these whales.Article contentCaitlin Schofield,Article contentUPEI studentArticle contentArticle contentMake affordable housing a rightArticle contentThe cost of living in P.E.I. has risen drastically in recent years, affecting our loved ones, friends and community. Affordable housing must be considered a basic human right, not a luxury. Everyone deserves a safe and stable living environment, and the government has a responsibility to protect tenants and community members.Article contentArticle contentStudents, single parents, seniors and low-income families work just as hard as the rest of the population, yet many are struggling financially. The average cost of rent has simply become unmanageable for too many people. Islanders are living paycheque to paycheque with much of their income going toward rent and basic living necessities. This is not sustainable, and it places an immense amount of stress on our communities.Article contentIt is essential that the provincial government do more to protect those who are struggling in our community. Stronger rent controls, more affordable housing projects, and ensuring landlords are not taking advantage of tenants could make a huge difference. The bottom line is that not enough is being done for our communities. Housing should never have become a profit-driven industry at the expense of our community’s well-being.Article contentArticle contentIf things continue this way, islanders and families will be forced out of our province because staying is simply not affordable. This would change our communities and identities as islanders. Affordable housing would help to unite us, reduce inequalities, and create a more positive environment for all. It is time for PEI to make affordable housing for everyone a top priority.Article contentEllie MacLeod,Article contentUPEI studentArticle contentArticle contentMove Halloween to closest SaturdayArticle contentI feel strongly that Halloween should no longer happen on Oct. 31 and instead, should take place on the last Saturday of October each year. While I recognize that Halloween is a long-standing tradition, celebrating it on a weekday creates unwanted stress for parents, kids and teachers.Article contentAs parents, when Halloween falls on a weekday, the hours preceding and the days that follow can be pandemonium. It begins by rushing home from work to force supper on kids who are thinking of nothing but candy and treats, followed quickly by a scramble to be ready and in costume on time for a 5:30 start time to trick-or-treat. As a result of this rushing, what should be a fun evening often turns into an emotional race against time.Article contentA Saturday celebration would allow families to enjoy Halloween without the pressure of a pre-Halloween rush or post-Halloween crash. Communities would have more opportunities to host relaxed evening events; families could prepare at a manageable pace, and children could trick-or-treat without the looming stress of bedtime and school the next morning.Article contentTeachers would surely benefit from this change as well. Instead of receiving students who are tired and still buzzing from their sugar highs the evening before, students could return to class on Monday feeling rested, focused, and ready to learn.Article contentTraditions can evolve, especially when doing so could benefit the well-being of our families and schools. Let’s make Halloween a true celebration for everyone by moving it to the last Saturday of October.Article contentAlicia MacEachern,Article contentUPEI studentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentHousing crisis a major concernArticle contentThe Canadian housing crisis has grown into one of the biggest economic challenges in our time. It has reached a critical point in our society affecting countless families, leaving them stranded and helpless. There are many factors that are causing this issue including high prices, limited supply/labour and increased population. It has become nearly impossible to find housing that is affordable at a fair price in Canada.Article contentThe primary cause of this crisis is the limited supply of materials and labour. We have seen in P.E.I. alone that the manufacturing companies have struggled to stay up to date with their projects. With the ongoing growth of population in Canada, this limits people’s options to very minimum selection. With the population growth and high demand for new housing units to be built, it leaves a select few options for people to purchase a house.Article contentArticle contentThe alternative instead of buying a house and taking out a mortgage is renting. Canadian citizens have hit a roadblock with this alternative due to an 22 per cent increase in rent asking prices. There are limited options for Canadians looking to rent leading to high demand on rent. This causes landlords to steeply raise their prices because of the limited market, making it unaffordable for the average CanadianArticle contentEach day that passes, more Canadians are forced to become homeless with no place to live. It’s time for all Canadian citizens and communities to come together and create a sustainable housing future that is accessible and affordable.Article contentAidan Silvaggio,Article contentUPEI studentArticle contentArticle contentAll Canadians should have enough foodArticle contentThe cost of food in Canada continues to increase, which creates a daily struggle for numerous Canadian families. Postmedia’s article titled “How affordability and food insecurity are hitting N.L. families” shows that some parents sacrifice their own meals to feed their children. The reality of Canada as a developed nation becomes questionable when families face the decision to buy food or cover their essential expenses.Article contentEven full-time employees have difficulties balancing their daily obligations. While workers do not receive wage increases, the cost of basic food items such as bread, milk, fruits and vegetables keeps rising. When people have to carry out their necessary grocery shopping tasks, they become anxious. In order to increase their weekly budget, households must reduce their spending and modify their eating habits.Article contentTemporary relief programs or tax credits are not enough to solve this issue. Better regulations must be put in place by the government to support farmers, keep the cost of necessities under control, and give more aid to low-income families. Families would feel more secure in their everyday routines if these suggested changes are applied.Article contentFood is a basic need rather than a luxury. Without fear or sacrifice, every Canadian should be able to eat adequately. Real action must be taken now to enable that.Article contentArticle contentPrajesh Manandhar,Article contentUPEI studentArticle contentArticle contentSmall province prioritizes kindnessArticle contentIn many of our small communities across the Island, acts of kindness have a way of standing out and catching on. Whether it’s a neighbour taking your garbage bin down to the end of your driveway, helping shovel a car out during the winter months, or something as small as a smile or wave, it truly helps keep our Island happy and community-minded.Article contentThis past week, I attended a funeral for a family member in Montague. After the service, all of the family followed the hearse to the burial spot as usual. On this drive, that consisted of at least 15 family cars, the number of people who pulled over in respect was incredible. Even at a traffic light, those with the green light were waiting for our procession to drive by with our four ways on. This small gesture, which took no more than one minute out of someone’s day, reminded me that we’re all connected, and that in moments of need there are people who want to help.Article contentArticle contentActs of kindness like this are felt more deeply here than those living in large provinces or communities. That single act of kindness created a ripple effect that was able to reach far beyond that singular moment in the funeral procession. Afterward, I was left feeling like those people who stopped their day were honouring my family member on her final drive.Article contentThere isn’t much good news happening in our world right now, and somedays it feels like the world is on fire – but for our small province, I think we can make a difference by prioritizing kind gestures to friends or strangers and helping when we can.Article contentKindness doesn’t cost much, but in a small town it’s priceless.Article contentAllie MacDonald,Article contentUPEI studentArticle contentArticle contentWorld is growing further apartArticle contentIt really is hard to ignore how deeply politics has divided our world today and two sides fight for what they think is right. What was once a healthy exchange of ideas and opinions has now turned into violence, hostility and distrust toward one another. Families, schools, friends and communities face inevitable strain from events, elections and decisions. Without knowing it, we all wear labels that determine who we are without even needing to ask.Article contentEach issue that arises, whether new or old, seems to demand that we pick a side and stick to it, never waver. From climate change to the state of health care, education to economics, the outcome never changes, and the world grows further and further apart.Article contentWe need to unite now more than ever as a country, as a society. If we want to move forward without detrimental effects, we need to learn to listen again. Listen to what others have to say.Article contentWe need to be able to see each other as fellow human beings and not as part of an opposition. Decision-making does not mean complete agreement; rather it means compromise, but it does require respect. Both ways.Article contentThe future depends on our ability to remember that other people are not our enemies simply because they see the world differently.Article contentUntil we care more about understanding each other rather than winning an argument, the walls we have created between us will only grow higher over time.Article contentArticle contentKrystal Watson,Article contentUPEI studentArticle contentArticle contentLack of housing a barrier to opportunityArticle contentYour recent article about Prince Edward Island’s housing shortage struck a chord with me. As a UPEI student, I’ve seen friends struggle to find a safe, affordable place to live in Charlottetown. The reality is that housing has become one of the biggest barriers to education and opportunity for young Islanders.Article contentIn the past few years, rent prices have climbed far beyond what most students or minimum-wage workers can afford. Many of us are paying more than half our income just to keep a roof over our heads. It’s exhausting and discouraging. This isn’t just an economic issue — it’s a social one. Without secure housing, students can’t focus on their studies or plan for the future.Article contentI believe the provincial government must act now. Investing in student residences and non-profit housing would help ease the crisis. Regulations on short-term rentals like Airbnb could also make a real difference. Everyone deserves a stable place to live, especially those working hard to build a future here on P.E.I.Article contentArticle contentIf we want young people to stay, we need to make sure they can afford to live here.Article contentAshish Sharma,Article contentUPEI studentArticle contentArticle contentTime to invest in UPEI musicArticle contentUPEI music students pay some of the highest tuition fees yet face funding cuts that limit their education. This includes the shortage of instructions, the courses that have been cut and the music building itself.Article contentTo earn a bachelor of music degree, students must take private lessons for eight semesters, each costing nearly double a regular course. Yet, the extra fee doesn’t go to the instructors who teach these lessons. Even when considering students from other faculties who face extra lab fees or textbook costs, music students are left struggling to access the education they’re promised while spending an arm and a leg for their degrees. This lack of support discourages talented students from pursuing music at UPEI.Article contentThe department has even been forced to cancel key courses like string techniques, choral techniques and chamber singers (mandatory for voice majors for eight semesters) because there wasn’t enough funding to hire sessional instructors. At one point, students had to lead the UPEI Jazz Ensemble themselves because the department couldn’t afford to pay a director.Article contentTo make matters worse, the Dr. Steel Recital Hall is an aging building that desperately needs renovation or replacement. While the music department may be smaller than others, every student’s education should be valued equally.Article contentIt’s time for UPEI to invest properly in its music department, with fair funding and more instructors. Music students pay more, work longer days, and deserve far better than what they are currently given.Article contentMarius Lavoie,Article contentUPEI music studentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentTrust in home-cooked foodArticle contentAs someone who loves food in every form, I often ask myself why I still prefer home-cooked meals as a daily food over restaurant dishes. I will admit that restaurant food looks delightful – the colours, the enticing texture, the plating, and most of all the quick comfort of not having to cook for hours. But behind all that, I always rely on and come back to the honesty of food made at home.Article contentWhen I cook the food, I know all my ingredients and what goes into my dish – the right amount of oil, the butter, the spices, the salt, the freshness of the freshly chopped vegetables, most of all, the hygiene. I put my love and care while cooking to bring out the goodness through delicate flavours, by not being under the pressure to serve a restaurant full of people.Article contentOn the other hand, restaurant kitchens may not be able to replace that trust of a home food, no matter how professional or recognized that place may be. The food may be higher in cholesterol, which is most certainly not a health benefit. The food may have other kinds of chemically produced flavour intensifiers that puts our health at risk.Article contentArticle contentI enjoy the simple process of experimenting with various flavor combinations and try to understand what I could have done differently to improve. Restaurants are certainly a treat occasionally, but I think they should stay that way – a treat! But the good health, hygiene and heart belong to home-cooked food.Article contentChandan Thapa,Article contentUPEI studentArticle contentArticle contentStudents bear rising cost of livingArticle contentI am writing this letter to you with deep concern and a sense of humor, talking about the rising cost of living in Prince Edward Island. This great concern has affected mostly university students. The prices of textbooks, groceries, transportation and more have now become too expensive compared to what they used to be.Article contentAs a student, I see most of my friends and classmates not even having time for meals anymore, picking up work shifts or moving farther away from campus just to find a budget-friendly house to stay to put a roof over their heads. The choices made by them do not reflect unseriousness or poor planning. Instead, it shows how difficult it has become for students to survive in an economic environment that simply does not favour them as they work towards a bright future.Article contentAnother major challenge students are dealing with is the rising cost of domestic expenses. The cost of groceries has become so expensive that students eat mostly two square meals daily, which are breakfast and dinner. Even so, the transportation cost continues to increase aggressively, making it tougher for students who depend on cars to get to their workplace or school. This financial pressure pushes many students into working long hours just to keep up, leaving little time and energy for schoolwork.Article contentDue to these results, the stress increases, the health declines, and one’s grades start to drop drastically. This is not just an individual problem; rather, it affects the learning environment of Prince Edward’s Island. If students can no longer take good care of themselves, the level of education drops, and it affects the greater communities.Article contentArticle contentFor these reasons, I persuade the provincial government and all post-secondary institutions to support more affordable housing options for students and to initiate a student discount for grocery shopping. Helping students is not just about doing the right thing, but also about uplifting the economic future of all Islanders.Article contentLawrence Ukatu,Article contentUPEI studentArticle contentArticle contentTravel a necessary experienceArticle contentI am writing in response to the article “Why travel should be considered an essential human activity,” which I strongly agree with. Travel is not only a vacation or something we do for fun. When we travel, we are exposed to new ideas, new beliefs, and new ways of living. Travel is an experience that teaches us how to see life from different perspectives, which can truly change our mindset, identity, and personality.Article contentThe world is often afraid of what is different, and travelling helps us appreciate those differences instead. I believe travel deserves to be valued as a meaningful and necessary human experience.Article contentArticle contentI have experienced this personally. I am originally from Venezuela, and moving to Canada has changed my way of thinking completely. Travel involves new languages, new routines and new cultures; it pushes you outside of your comfort zone. That process made me more independent, brave and open-minded.Article contentLast summer, during a trip to Asia, my assumptions were challenged, and I was reminded that there is no single “right” way to live. The world is larger, richer and more varied than what we see in our daily routines. I had to adapt to traditions that were very different from mine and immerse myself in new languages and everyday practices, which made me realize that culture is something lived, not just learned.Article contentTravel shapes us into more understanding and empathetic human beings. For these reasons, we should promote accessible travel programs and more opportunities that allow people to experience travel as a vital part of human development.Article contentIsis Mabela Toro,Article contentUPEI studentArticle contentArticle contentShelter is a right, not a commodityArticle contentImagine a dog forced to sleep in a car every night. The air is stifling in the summer and icy in the winter, the windows fogged with breath. Most would call such treatment inhumane. Yet this is the daily reality for far too many people who have been pushed into homelessness by the housing crisis.Article contentA recent article shared the heartbreaking story of a 76-year-old man who has been living in his car twice this year alone. Surviving on a modest pension, he cannot afford rent in this province’s inflated market. His situation is not an isolated tragedy — it is a reflection of a system that treats housing as a privilege rather than a fundamental right.Article contentTo their credit, the government is taking some action, such as increasing the Old Age Pension by 10 per cent and announcing new “deeply affordable housing” projects. However, these measures are insufficient.Article contentArticle contentNew constructions driven by cost-cutting rather than quality or longevity are setting the stage for future slums if the root of the problem remains. This province has become an investor’s playground, where profit takes precedence over people. Shelter is a human right, not a commodity.Article contentRental prices should not fluctuate according to market whims but should remain proportionate to the actual costs of property ownership. Few other sectors so easily allow investors to offload their financial risks onto others, as landlords do to their tenants. Housing policy must return to its moral foundation: ensuring that every person has a safe place to live.Article contentKaylee Gavin, Article contentUPEI studentArticle contentArticle contentSaugeen decision a good first stepArticle contentI recently came across an article titled, “Beach returned to First Nation after 170 years following Canada legal battle.” It moved me to read that, after 170 years, and after all the legal process in law at the Supreme Court of Canada, that the Saugeen First Nation, finally, got the stolen land from their nation and the province of Ontario. Specifically, I was moved because this was not just a reading of legal rights, but also legal action, and it stands for proof of reconciliation in action.Article contentArticle contentIndigenous peoples in Canada have had their lands stolen for hundreds of years, while settler authorities ignore their rights. One legal decision is good; however, many other Indigenous groups are still waiting for recognition. It should not take two hundred years of lawsuits and legal process to get what is equally believed to or legally promised. Governments must do more themselves to right the wrongs.Article contentSome settlements raised concerns that it is unfair to the current private owners to return disposed lands, and my response to them would be it is fairer and more reasonable if the land were illegally taken. I hope all Canadians have now developed a further understanding about land justice.Article contentSofiah Baruwa,Article contentUPEI studentArticle contentArticle contentStudent discounts would ease burdensArticle contentInflation affects everyone, but students living on limited budgets experience its most direct and heavy impacts. Rent has increased sharply over the past two years, monthly groceries are constantly more expensive, and even smaller things — bus passes, coffee if I may say so — have become near luxuries.Article contentMany of us try to balance part-time jobs with full-time study; running uphill seems to be the only metaphor that fits. Skipping meals to save money, or the near constant hesitation to buy any form of textbook, are all small but all too present struggles. Visible to few, these are the true definitions of a student experience.Article contentI believe our community and university can do more to help. Local landlords and grocery stores, specifically, should at least consider some sort of student discount or at least flexible payment methods. Expanding food banks and more direct affordable housing partnerships from the university level would be ideal.Article contentEducation should never be a privilege obtained through inflation. A shared (and all round better) future is what we all want to see. Students need that future — affordable or not, we all need to be able to at least attempt to live it.Article contentArticle contentYuheng (Harry) Hu,Article contentUPEI studentArticle contentArticle contentSupport student mental healthArticle contentMental health support for students in Prince Edward Island is becoming a serious concern, but the system is not even close to catching up with it all.Article contentStudents experience high amounts of stress, anxiety, social isolation and depression. When those students reach out for help, there are long waitlists and limited appointments.Article contentStudents who are struggling do not care that a worker is not available to see them regarding their mental health status, when waiting two weeks to stabilize their mental health may be the difference between recovering and going into crisis. Therefore, access to mental health is essential, especially for students living away from home, working, studying and feeling the pressure of finances while trying to keep up academically.Article contentPrince Edward Island has a positive direction by speaking more openly about mental health, but talking does not offer students the practical and real help they need. If the province can pour money into new buildings, highway systems and economic programming, then why can the government not invest in counsellors, therapists and emergency mental health services? The failure to react is more costly than the fix.Article contentWhen students cannot get support for their mental health, a downward spiral affects their course grades, their senses of safety, connectedness and belonging. Some students drop out of studies altogether, and others suffer in silence. Suffering does not stay in the classroom; pain is carried back to families, jobs and throughout future generations of a workforce on Prince Edward Island.Article contentEvery student deserves a chance to pursue an education and succeed! I request the provincial government and universities to increase funding, hire more mental health professionals, and increase free counselling hours. If we need a healthier, stronger province tomorrow, we must focus on protecting the mental wellness of our students today.Article contentFaiz Moulvi,Article contentUPEI studentArticle contentArticle contentFinancial literacy needed for studentsArticle contentEvery September, I watch first-year students come to campus ready for calculus and biology, but dramatically unequipped to interpret bills, loans and paystubs. Too many young adults graduate without a clue on how to budget, file their taxes or avoid high-interest debt. I know classmates on campus who see their credit limits as additional income. I hear them ask each other: What happens if I miss a payment? Is it OK if I just pay the minimum balance? Witnessing these scenarios on an almost daily basis makes me worry for the future.Article contentFar too often, our youth learn how to manage money only after making expensive mistakes. Financial literacy should not be optional; it is a part of our daily lives and dictates our quality of life. The recent rise in cost-of-living means just getting our paycheque is no longer enough to ensure that we make this month’s rent. We need to learn how to manage our finances and waiting until we get to university is far too late.Article contentI believe that Prince Edward Island can help make a change. If we implement finance courses for secondary students, we will be making a step in the right direction. Students need to learn applied tasks, such as building monthly budgets, completing tax returns and identifying predatory loans. They need guidance on scholarships and student fees before signing up for postsecondary education.Article contentMaking these changes means we are only scratching the surface of what financial literacy truly is, however, I believe we would be building the foundation for an informed and empowered youth.Article contentJohnviany Okolie,Article contentUPEI studentArticle contentArticle contentMental health should be top priorityArticle contentAs revealed in a study on the state of university students in Canada, a worrying situation is emerging. An article titled The New Abnormal, published by Education News Canada, states, “Although the quiet crisis of stress, anxiety and depression is magnified by the pressure to perform, budgeting and social connections, expectations are increasing and students are left to deal with these problems and to find a way to address them. Many students work part-time, support families, and manage school responsibilities, all of which can deepen their emotional burden and feelings of social isolation.”Article contentAwareness and access to mental health services on many university campuses leave something to be desired. Too often, students suffer in silence because they don’t know where to go for help or fear of being judged for asking. This silence weakens their confidence and can lead to more serious long-term problems if left unaddressed.Article contentUniversities can turn the tide of this crisis, but should make mental health a clear top priority, and offer more counselling services, buddy systems and awareness campaigns that tell students they can ask for help, and won’t be judged. Teachers and lecturers should be trained to spot the signs of distress, and send students to the right places. Creating discussions about mental health would help break the stigma that surrounds the topic today.Article contentWell known as a crucial part of a person’s overall health, mental health can’t be ignored and should be at the same level of importance as physical health.Article contentYousef Mohamed,Article contentUPEI studentArticle content
LETTERS: UPEI students write about work-life balance, affordable housing and mental health
