Grounding Practices for Students in Montréal (McGill, Concordia, UQAM)
Share
Student life in Montréal can be full of opportunities, community, and creativity, but it may also bring moments of stress, pressure, and constant movement. Between classes, part-time jobs, long winters, busy commutes, and the vibrant energy of the city, many students look for ways to feel more centered during demanding seasons of academic life.
Grounding practices are often explored as tools that may support a sense of presence, steadiness, or calm throughout the day. These practices can be simple, gentle, and personal, something students can add to fit their routines.
Even small actions can create a sense of pause or help someone reconnect with their environment. Whether a student attends McGill, Concordia, UQAM, Dawson, or another Montréal institution, grounding practices can become a part of daily rhythms in a way that feels natural rather than overwhelming. Below are some ideas that students may find supportive as they move through academic life in Montréal.
Pausing Between ClassesMontréal campuses tend to be lively and full of activity. Students often move from one class to another quickly, which may leave little room for a mental reset.
Carrying a small, grounding jewelry piece can be a great way to bring your awareness back to the present moment. In facts, lots of cultures use jewelry as a way to ground themselves. One example of this is the mala, each bead is used as a remind to say a mantra or take a breath.
Using the Senses as an AnchorThe feeling of cold air in winter, the sound of footsteps on St-Catherine Street, or the warmth of sunlight on a bench near campus can function as subtle grounding cues. Noticing these sensations, without trying to analyze them may help shift attention from racing thoughts to the immediate environment.
Some students find it helpful to walk through areas such as Parc La Fontaine, Mont-Royal paths, or the lower field at McGill between classes as a way to ground themselves. These places may serve as natural grounding spaces because they offer a contrast to busy academic settings. A short walk, even five minutes, may gently shift someone’s mental state. Many students describe feeling more in tune with themselves after stepping outside, taking a moment to observe the trees, or just listening to natural sounds around them.
Every university has hidden quiet spots that students discover over time. A corner of a library, an empty classroom, a peaceful hallway, or a quiet study lounge can become a personal grounding space. Spending just a few minutes in a quieter area may help reduce sensory overwhelm.
Some students like to practice slow breathing, light stretching, journaling, or simply sitting without their phone for a moment. For others, grounding may look like organizing their backpack, reviewing their schedule, or drinking water mindfully. These small choices can create a short reset before returning to academic tasks.
Navigating Academic Pressure With Self-Compassion
Academic environments can be competitive and demanding. It may be useful for students to acknowledge that stress is a normal part of university life and that it’s okay to move at their own pace. Grounding practices often work best when paired with self-compassion. Instead of expecting themselves to stay calm all the time, students can gently remind themselves that it’s natural to have fluctuating emotions.
Checking in with emotional needs rest, connection, food, movement, or quiet can also be grounding in itself.
Grounding looks different for everyone. Students don’t need to master every technique or follow rigid routines. Trying one or two approachable practices. breathing, mindful walking, sensory awareness, or finding quiet spaces, may offer small pockets of steadiness throughout the day. Montréal’s unique mix of nature, culture, and movement provides many opportunities for grounding to become part of student life in a way that feels personal and adaptable.