As the newly appointed President of NUS Peer Student Supporters (PSS) for AY2025/26, Illiyina Qistina Ruimei Nizam (Y3, Psychology) is leading efforts to strengthen student wellness at NUS. She first explored peer support through her residential mentoring group and later deepened her passion during an internship with youths-at-risk. Now, with PSS officially formalised in August 2024, Illiyina is driving its growth as a vibrant network of trained peers and championing initiatives like PitStop, a dedicated wellness space on campus. For her, leadership in PSS is about turning empathy into action and creating a community where every student feels supported and empowered. OSA met her at newly reopened PitStop@YIH to find out more about her motivations and inspirations.
OSA: How has the concept of student wellness evolved over your schooling journey?
Illiyina: When I was in primary and secondary school, wellness support was often limited to school counsellors, and counselling carried a certain stigma. Over time, awareness of student wellbeing grew, and schools began introducing programmes to help students care for themselves. Today, wellness is seen as a central pillar of education, and universities like NUS are embracing it as an integral part of student life.
Illiyina (second from left) and her friends spend time at PitStop, a dedicated wellness space on campus for NUS students to relax between lessons.
OSA: What prompted you to join PSS?
Illiyina: I was inspired by an internship supporting youths-at-risk, where I learnt how different the role of a peer can be from that of a professional helper. On a deeper level, my own experiences with mental health struggles fuelled my desire to make things better for others, in whatever ways I can.
OSA: What difference has being in PSS made to your student life?
Illiyina: Compared to internships in professional settings, leading PSS has given me a fresh perspective on leadership. It is less about managing an organisation and more about co-creating a vision with peers who share a passion for wellbeing.
On a personal level, being part of PSS has added vibrance to my student life, whether through meaningful friendships within the CCA or conversations with students who come to PitStop.
Illiyina conducts an admin briefing for her peers at the PSS Orientation at PitStop@UTown.
OSA: Is there a quote about wellness that inspires you?
Illiyina: “The wound is the place where the light enters you” by Rumi, a 13th-century Persian Muslim poet. It reminds me that pain and hardship can also be the source of resilience and compassion. Whenever I feel like giving up, I remember to stay positive and allow the light in.
OSA: How will your PSS journey shape your future?
Illiyina: My experience has taught me that wellness is understood differently by every individual. The most important step in caring for others is to first recognise their uniqueness, and then respond with empathy. These lessons will continue to guide me, whether in my career or in personal relationships.
PSS leaders embody the seven PitStop Principles to maximise wellbeing and productivity. Here they are, enjoying timeout activity of blowing bubbles at UTown Green.
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