Universities, colleges, and other educational establishments have been forced to close their doors as coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to sweep the globe, affecting over 89 percent of the student population of the world. If you're one of these students, your whole student life could have been turned upside-down recently.
You were likely concentrating on achieving a solid academic and social life when the academic year began. Your time was probably all about making friends, finding your way around campus, and maybe adapting to a new degree of personal independence if you'd just started college. If you were a high school grad, you'd be reconnecting with friends you haven't seen all summer long. You went to class, did your coursework (in groups, perhaps), and tried to reach your deadlines.
Regardless of what you used to do, today’s normal is anything, but every day you are now bombarded by news stories showing exponential growth, or the number of dead, or any of the other awful circumstances that are occurring as the result of coronavirus. When the new year started, you had never heard of ‘COVID-19’ – now you can’t get through a day without thinking about it.
Regardless of what you used to do, it is anything but usual today. You are now bombarded every day with news reports showing exponential growth, or the number of deaths, or any of the other awful situations that arise as a result of the coronavirus. You had never heard of 'COVID-19' when the new year began; now you can't get through a day without thinking about it.
With things changing daily, or sometimes even hourly, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Whenever a situation becomes too much (and this goes for most other aspects of life), remember to focus on what you can do, not on what you cannot. Doing so will give you a sense of control and maybe a helpful distraction from the things that cause you anxiety.
As a student, These are very real and very difficult changes. Change in itself is hard, and it is made even harder when it is being forced on you without any alternatives. It is okay to be sad or mad or frustrated; these feelings are totally legitimate and quite rightly justified.
But, here’s a positive spin: at this point, on this very day, there is absolutely nothing you can do about any of the above challenges, but there are ways that you can manage elements in your life to regain control.
As a student, here are some things that I realized and helped me to cope with this pandemic:
The first thing that you need to do is to establish a routine. It is essential if you create a routine and stick to it, to maintain some normality and help with motivation. Try to keep to the same hours you had while you were going to campus. Get enough sleep. When you do get up, do the same things that you normally would: take a shower and get dressed. Once you have eaten a healthy breakfast, find a quiet place to study, away from distractions. If that’s not possible, invest in some noise-canceling headphones and play non-distracting music. Establishing a routine also helps you to maintain self-discipline.
The next thing that you need to do is to way to de-stress. Self-discipline habits that can help you feel less alone, even when you might physically be by yourself, are a good option. In my case, whenever I feel anxious or being overwhelmed, I take a break from all of my school works and just breathe and meditate. I also eat a lot of healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits. Also, Don't forget to drink plenty of water, too – it’s not just good for your body, but has also been proven to improve your mind to concentrate.
Next is to find yourself a hobby. Many individuals not only find these activities therapeutic but also rewarding. This powerful combination of awareness (when you concentrate on being present and at the moment) and progress in building on or developing whatever hobby makes for a very pleasant and beneficial experience. There is an infinite range of activities to choose from, but opting for something relaxing that needs attention is strongly recommended. In my case, sketching is what I do to make me at ease and calm.
Lastly, stay connected. Many of us especially students and workers are overwhelmed because of this COVID-19. Our government issued safety protocols to avoid the increase in the number of cases of COVID-19. Community quarantine is one of them. It means that we are not allowed to go out unless it is urgent and important. By means of staying connected, Use your social media platform (if you have one), to stay connected with friends and family. This will help you to feel motivated and feel happy. Being isolated for a long time and have no one to talk to can cause anxiety and worst case, depression. Always take care of yourself, especially your mental health.