What? Online Classes?! We can barely even function in our face to face classes, how are we supposed to do this? This is what was or is still going on in our minds as college students ever since we had to transition to the online platform. It’s not only an adjustment for us, but for our professors, families, everyone at our universities, and the world as a whole.
There was a post before where we go over mental health and how crucial it is for everyone, but especially for college students. Rather we realize it or not, any change or transition is different and can cause a little uneasiness at first. Therefore, I think it’s important to bring that topic of mental health up again especially in the times we’re in now.
Having to switch environments and with little time for professors and students to prepare, this has definitely been an adjustment. Many students have different feelings about transitioning to the online platform, but right now we have to deal with the cards that we are dealt and do our best to persevere.
Although we have to persevere, we can’t ignore our feelings and all the stress that it has put not only us as college students under, but our professors and anyone else who works at a university. According to MH life sciences, “college students are psychiatrically vulnerable, and the current circumstances on college campuses are exceedingly stressful and potentially socially isolating.”
This is why we must work together as a healthy uni to reach out to our fellow peers during this time because we never know what they may be going through. A lot of universities know how tough this transition can be on students, therefore they have extended their counseling services to online. As stated before, on this blog physical health isn’t the only health we will discuss, but mental health as well.
Aside from all the other stressors, there are students who have never taken any online classes before and now is their first time ever doing so, myself being one of those students, I know just how mentally exhausting this time can be. It has taken me a while to adjust due to having to move off campus while also preparing for classes. Getting the hang of it though, I’m going to share some tips that have helped me adjust throughout this chaotic time.
1. Just breath.
Right now I know everything is so busy and there’s just so much to do, but take time out of your day to take a deep breath whenever you start to feel overwhelmed. Simply breathing and depending on the type of breathing you do, can signal different things to your body. But taking a deep breath and relaxing for a bit will definitely relieve some stress.
2. Try to have a positive outlook.
It’s easier said than done, I know, especially considering most of the world is in distraught right now. There’s nothing we can do at this point in regards to moving to the online platform or how everything is changing holistically, so we have to have a positive outlook and do what needs to be done. Looking on the bright side, there’s only about four weeks left of school, so just try to think of some good things like I just did there. Positive thinking not only helps with stress management, but can even improve your health.
3. Continue to plan.
Planning and having some sort of agenda is important during this time so you don’t end up getting behind. It’s easy to think that the semester is done and over with now because the university is shut down, but sadly that’s not the case. So we still have to plan diligently for classes and keep our priorities straight.
4. Check your computer daily.
Just like planning everything out, this is also definitely important during this time due to some teachers not doing face-to-face online. So making sure you check the main site your college uses to stay on track and not get behind is a good idea.
5. Know that you can do this.
You can do anything you put your mind to, you just have to believe it and also put the work in. This may be tough for you and you may be mentally out of it but just know you can do this and try to finish the semester off strong.
Even though we had to move out due to the coronavirus and potential health problems, I believe we’re still a healthy uni. This time is tough but universities and the world will get through this together and we will come out stronger than ever before. So take this time to not only build yourself up physically while being quarantined, but also mentally. Keep on smiling through it all and remember, we got this.
Healthy Uni 