How to Survive the End of This Coronavirus Semester
I video-chatted with a stressed student today. Being home, living life away from college friends, and juggling classes online overwhelmed this student. “It’s just that every teacher is communicating differently so it’s hard to keep organized,” explained this student.
Though this new “normal” is just starting to feel normal, it is anything but normal. Life feels so uncertain. Internships, summer jobs, the next semester—they’re all up in the air.
If you find yourself stressed, overwhelmed, and lacking motivation, below are three encouraging thoughts to help you finish out the semester.
Keep on keeping on.
This may be the last thing you want to hear. You know you need to keep going, but you simply don’t know how that is possible. Your energy and motivation is at an all time low.
There is no “one size fits all” solution when it comes to motivation. What may work for a sibling, friend, or a parent, may actually demotivate you.
So what can you do? Keep going. This statement doesn’t mean ignoring your need for breaks, rest, and maintaining your health. This statement does mean refusing to give up. If you’re struggling in a class, don’t throw in the towel. If you’re so behind you’re not sure where to start, take one small step. Keep on keeping on one step at a time.
Take heart.
You are not alone. You may feel alone. You may feel isolated from friends, but you are not alone.
Your feelings are experienced by others. Your peers, roommates, friends, and teachers all feel weary. This doesn’t, however, mean these feelings are insignificant. Your feelings are legitimate and normal.
Your overwhelming feelings are worth being acknowledged, even if there aren’t clear answers to your questions. (The reality is that even the experts don’t know when the coronavirus will stop disrupting life and college.)
If you feel discouraged, lonely, anxious, or exhausted, take heart. You are not alone, and your feelings are very real.
Remember the best is yet to come.
The phrase “the best is yet to come” may seem cliche but definitely rings true right now. The best is yet to come, especially when it comes to college.
This semester and the end of this school year has disappointed you, your parents, your teachers, etc. Life has been unpredictable, uncertain, and stressful.
Don’t fear: this is not all there is. The best is coming. Talk to any upperclassman and you will likely hear that your freshman year of college is the hardest. (Keep in mind this conclusion is based on experiencing a normal freshman year.)
Your freshman year has been anything but normal. Even with all of the challenges you have faced, are facing, and will face, you are surviving. Your college years to come will improve. College will get better.
Think back to your first semester of college. You were (if you’re honest with yourself) scared, intimidated, and maybe even doubtful about this whole college thing. Now look at how you’re handling this extremely challenging semester. You can do this. Keep on keeping on, take heart, and remember that the best is still yet to come.
