Making new friends, leaving home, and finding your place in the world is challenging enough as it is. Add the unique circumstances of COVID-19 and we’ve taken first-weeks-of-school-stress to a whole new level.
With this unique semester underway, students may be feeling alone and confused with no one or nowhere to go for a helping hand. To provide some support, here are six ways to reduce anxiety and feel more empowered during these somewhat lonely times:
1. Give yourself some you time.
Find time in the day to do something you really enjoy. It could be painting, reading, cooking, eating something you enjoy, or going for a little stroll around campus. Be kind to yourself if things don’t go your way and breathe easy.
2. It’s okay to not feel okay.
Remember that these lonely and uncomfortable feelings you’re experiencing are temporary. Give yourself the time to recognize and embrace your emotions. Allow yourself to be in those icky feels. These feels will pass with time (and a vaccine!!)
3. Take part in activities that stimulate your sense of “awe”.
Psychologist Dacher Keltner states that awe is a mental state in which your sense of self disappears and a change in perspective is achieved. This can be any activity that makes you feel small in a good way – like looking up at our amazing Flagstaff dark sky and soaking in all those stars. Find something that humbles you and brings you satisfaction.
4. Check in at home.
Chances are good you have family and friends at home you miss. They miss you too. Even if you have absolutely NOTHING exciting to share, go ahead and prop up your phone at your dining room table for a video call chit-chat while eating dinner. Or play a Houseparty game with a friend from back home.
5. Be intentional with the time you spend to those in your bubble.
You know those roommates you see? Like everyday? Chances are good you both have your noses in either your phones, computer, or the books you have to read for school. Look up once in awhile and figure out creative ways to connect with each other. Kitchen dance party anyone? Cook a meal together, do a craft (Origami YouTube video for the win!) play cards, or a board game, watch a ridiculously cheesy movie together, go for a walk together. Be intentional about checking in regularly.
6. Join a club.
There’s no better time than now to join a student club. Virtual meetings make it super easy to just pop in and see what’s going on. There are 346 clubs to check out here. There’s literally a club for every possible interest, hobby, faith, or sport known to human kind. Find one that’s right for you, reach out and show up at their next meeting.