In early March you were probably finalizing your fall housing plans. Whether that was a dorm, a South Campus apartment, or an off-campus home through Zukin. A couple days later, Covid-19 took over and broke the world. So where are you now? Are you in your parent’s basement? Your bedroom? Or maybe you’re one of the few still attending an in-person class on campus. As if college students weren’t already top tier for depleted mental health. Anyways, let’s talk about some tips to balance the stress and anxiety following a global pandemic as we dive head first back into the fall semester.
Prioritize Having a Schedule
Having a schedule, or at least some consistency for each day always helps maintain that equilibrium to keep you on track. Wake up early-ish, drink water, coffee (it’s pumpkin spice season!) or some green juice. Make yourself some avocado toast or any breakfast you fancy. Write in a journal. Meditate. Go for a walk. Try that workout video you bookmarked for later. Do anything that will clear your head space before your day begins. I don’t know about you, but there’s just something about having a smooth start to each day, rather than rolling right out of bed to log into your Zoom session.
I can guarantee you will feel better, more awake, and ready to be engaged.
Create a Comfortable Workspace
Anyone else sometimes attending class from your comfy cloud of a bed? I’m guilty of it too. However, creating a solid workspace for yourself to zone into your lectures or pick apart that reading assignment can be productively beneficial. When I lounge in my bedroom, I usually have Netflix on the background, I’m always losing my pen in the bed, and I can get easily distracted with my phone. I set up a little office in my parent’s basement. It isn’t ideal but it forces me to sit up straight and keep myself organized. If you’re still on campus, the library and Sykes is open to students. I always enjoyed spending time studying in the bottom floor of Anderson Hall, mac lab (nuff said). Your work environment and your rest environment shouldn’t be the same.
That’s just me though. If you work just fine and can get all your school work finished in bed, comment below and tell me your secrets
Take A Break
We can only stare at these screens for so long, rest your eyes from time to time. I can only sit for so long too, stand up and stretch between every class. Don’t forget to keep drinking water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated. If you have time between classes, do something to free your mind for a little bit. Go outside, give your dog some pets, have a snack. Take a break from studying. Students are still deserving of time to enjoy themselves. Change is stressful and virtual learning is trying. To allow yourself to adapt, you must try different methods to de-stress and remind yourself we are all in the same boat and you are not alone.
Talk to Someone
I know sometimes it can feel like you’re venting too much or you’re putting your problems on someone else. However, if that someone else is your friend, they will empathize with you and tell you it’s okay to feel the way you feel. They’re probably feeling the same way. Currently, I’m stressing over the jobs I am going to apply to following my graduation in December. I feel like I get asked on the daily, “So what are your plans post grad?” After every conversation, I feel a little bit more confident in what my plans are because I have talked through it multiple times. Connecting and relating to others can help us move forward and ultimately put you in a better place.
Have Some Pride
You are living history as we speak, cut yourself some slack. No one really knows what the heck they are doing. If we’re going to do this whole virtual thing, thank goodness we have Google.
Put it this way, I never knew I had anxiety until Covid-19 flipped our world upside down. We’re COM majors. We love people, we love action, we love a lively society. Now we are forced to stand 6ft apart and the world has slowed down. I am getting by with a little bit of help following the tips above, it helps me maintain that level of equilibrium. If you’re struggling, try some of them out even for a day and see if you feel any better.
Have you checked out RamConnect yet?
The link below can keep you updated on all the virtual events still happening on campus.
Mental health is important and so are you.
