How Are Students Handling Things During COVID-19?
It depends… A psychologist’s take on how to deal.
It’s been three weeks since in-person classes here at the U of A were cancelled and the world started shutting down. In talking to students and others, here are a few things I’ve noticed.
There’s no right way to feel
Some people feel more impacted by the pandemic than others. For some it’s a relief to stay home while for others it ranges from a mild inconvenience to soul crushing. You might feel lonely, scared, demotivated, frustrated, angry or maybe nothing at all. Mood swings are common — so you might feel differently from one moment to the next. It’s important not to judge yourself or others for what we might be feeling. Know that it’s okay to be where you’re at.
Everyone handles it differently
While we must stay home as much as possible, we can acknowledge it is easier for some people than others. Lifestyles, home situations, and personality types are just some of the factors that can make it easier or harder to socially distance. It’s not helpful to compare ourselves. Everyone has unique situations that affect how they’re handling it, whether it’s their internal experience or external circumstances.
Grief is Universal
Social distancing has meant you’ve no longer had in person classes or the grades you expected. You might have lost a job or had to move. How you spend your time, hang with friends, date, or engage in activities has all changed. Trips have been cancelled; celebrations are off and plans are up in the air. The loss of normalcy is profound.
Some are worried about their health or have parents, grandparents or other loved ones who may be at risk. Some are impacted financially as their families deal with job losses. Some are stuck in high conflict homes. Many are away from their families — whether they be in other cities or across the world. Others are following the news and grieving for those suffering in the hardest hit countries.
No matter how much you’ve been impacted, we can acknowledge there’s grief involved.
Uncertainty Fuels Anxiety
There are a lot of unknowns right now. Nobody knows exactly how long distancing will go on, or how this pandemic will progress. It’s understandable and normal to feel anxious when so much is up in the air. While it can be difficult, working toward accepting uncertainty is helpful. Be gentle with yourself. Focus on what you can control. Remember your ability to cope with adversity. Know that you’re not alone in feeling this way.
Conflicts Happen
Living with others in close quarters can create its own conflicts. You might feel nagged by your parents or annoyed by your partner or roommates. There may also be new sources of tension such as how much news and pandemic talk is going on or conflicts over how seriously people are following social distancing. Set limits and boundaries by tuning into your feelings to understand what might be bothering you. Talk about how you feel and communicate what you need. Be kind in your interactions.
Take Care of Yourself
Create routines, exercise, connect with others in virtual ways and set limits on pandemic related news. Do things you enjoy at home. Recent events might affect your motivation and it’s okay if your productivity has dropped. Create small goals and be gentle with yourself.
Remember much of what you’re feeling right now is shared by people around the world. The personal sacrifices we make today saves lives and ensures we can get back to normal. If you’re struggling, feel free to access student services including Counselling & Clinical Services and the Peer Support Centre. If you have concerns around finances, housing or need help navigating available resources, the community brokers at ACCESS Open Minds can help.
Author bio: Suman Varghese, M.Ed., M.A., Registered Psychologist at UAlberta’s Counselling & Clinical Services and works with the Faculty of Arts.
Read our post “Who is Suman?” to get to know more about Suman, her role and the kinds of students she meets with.
