Let’s get this straight: any college semester is a struggle, especially when you’re a college student. Some college semesters are harder than others, and some college semesters are more memorable than others. When you add in the coronavirus pandemic into the college semester mix, then everything can, may, and will feel as if it’s crumbling down. College life is HARD and Covid-19 does not make it any easier. That being said, it is remarkably important that mental health be continuously emphasized throughout the Spring 2021 semester.
Flashback to March 2020 when the world went into lockdown and our world simply changed in the blink of an eye. Back in those days at the beginning of lockdowns, I remember envisioning that by Summer 2020, things would be right back to where they were in January 2020. Flash forward to January 2021 and we ALL know that things do not look nearly as they seemed in January 2020 just a year ago. Knowing that things do not look the way that they did a year ago is a let down in itself – a let down that can affect one’s mental health.
Like us all, I have felt so much anger, grief, and frustration over the changes in our world due to Covid-19. These changes have drastically shifted all college students’ social lives along with the way we learn and do simple things such as going to the dining hall or to class. Zoom has become our main way of attending class and college activities. Masks have become our brand new accessory that we cannot leave our residences without. Our lives as college students are dominated by the 3 W’s: wear a mask, wait 6 feet apart, and wash your hands. Whether we like it or not, Covid-19 now dominates the college way of life and will in many aspects of the Spring 2021 semester life.
Mentally, the coronavirus pandemic is draining – it is draining on us ALL. Nobody likes to see their events or social life feel as if it has gone down the drain. The same idea goes for classes being held online in lieu of in-person. All in all, us college students are pretty sick and tired of the ways that Covid-19 has changed our way of life. We MUST look out for one another!
Knowing that every college student has been struggling with the implications of Covid-19, we can and should look out for one another. Remember that kindness goes a long way. Simply being kind helps us all out in the end. It is also vital that we check in with our friends and classmates both near and far. Although many people can and will appear happy sometimes even 24/7 (case in point: myself), NO human is happy ALL OF THE TIME. Everyone is going through the same things.
As cliche as it sounds, we are ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. Whether we like it or not, Covid-19 is here to stay at least to kick off the Spring 2021 semester. Let’s take care of one another and more importantly ourselves.
XOXO – Katie <3