My Advice for Students during COVID

Last spring when the pandemic began, we as students and professors had to adapt quickly. We changed our policies, practices, and expectations for our courses and simply powered through to make it to the summer. Now as we approach a new school year, we are entering this semester mindful of the existing strains of the pandemic on our educational experiences and personal lives. These are extremely trying times and each of us is carrying this burden in a different way. I put together this list of tips for students as they begin a new semester during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. What pieces of advice do you have to add?

1. Know your university’s policies. Many universities and professors are making changes to their policies to accommodate these extenuating circumstances. Check out your university’s COVID guidelines as well as notes in your course syllabi and announcements from your professors. Some things to watch for - Are there extended drop/add periods? Are there alternatives for grading such as a pass/fail option? Are your professor’s assignment deadlines strict or suggested? Keep these in mind as you go forward in your semester. Be sure to bookmark this page for quick reference should any issues come up!

2. Create a sick plan. Despite taking all recommended precautions - wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, limiting your outings - there is still a chance you could become infected with COVID-19. It is so important that you are familiar with the symptoms of COVID-19 and the procedures of your health center and/or doctor’s office should you develop symptoms. Additionally, you should have a plan in place should you need to quarantine from being exposed or becoming ill.

Things to consider in your sick plan:

• A contact person - a friend, roommate, or family member - to check in on your wellbeing and help if needed

• Health/medical supplies - thermometer, insurance card, big water jug, Ibuprofen, ice packs, kleenex

• A comfortable place to quarantine and things to keep you entertained (computer charger, phone charger, books, puzzles)

• Quick, easy, nutritious meals that you keep in stock should the need arrive (frozen fruit for smoothies, quick meals, soups, or pasta, Gatorades)

• Contact information for notifying your professors, boss, university officials, etc. at the onset of your illness/quarantine

3. Tap into your university’s resources. Many services that are typically offered at your university are now adapting to an online version but they are still available to you. Your school gym might be offering online fitness classes; your mental health center might be offering virtual counseling sessions, and the writing center might be giving one-on-one virtual coaching. Universities might have technological equipment such as laptops for you to borrow and campus organizations might be holding virtual meetups. Tap into these resources! You’re already paying for them - put them to use!

4. Have a COVID discussion with the people you live with. It is essential that you have a conversation with the people you live with about boundaries, rules and expectations for one another during this season in order to protect everyone’s safety and comfort. Where is it okay to go? Who is it okay to interact with? What are the rules about keeping your home safe? What is the protocol for when you come back into the home after being outside? Each decision one of you makes could potentially affect the other so it is important that everyone is on the same page. You can also revisit this topic throughout the semester as the situation evolves.

5. Stay informed. It is valuable to keep an eye on the COVID data for your community as well as the policies that officials are putting in place. While overload of this type of data can be detrimental, it is necessary that you are vigilant in order to protect yourself and the rest of your community.

6. Pay attention to trends in your health and wellbeing. While COVID-19 is presenting as a huge threat to our health, we cannot neglect the other pieces of our wellbeing while in quarantine. It is important to monitor your mood, activity level, sleep, and diet and make changes accordingly to maintain your wellbeing. I’ve started tracking my food and sleep using the FitBit app, and I have been going on daily walks in addition to my daily workouts to make sure I am still moving my body and getting some fresh air and Vitamin D. Find ways to still maintain your wellbeing and don’t hesitate to contact your doctor if you notice any alarming or drastic trends in your health.

7. Monitor and care for your mental health. As someone who has a history of anxiety, OCD, and depression, I know all too well the dangers that this type of reality presents for our mental health. Keep track of your thoughts and feelings and notice any shifts in your mentality and wellbeing.

Remember that our thoughts can lie to us! It’s important to have a proactive strategy in place to confront negative or unproductive feelings and reframe, redirect or dispel them from your mind. I will be sharing another blog post soon about the different mental strategies I have been using during this time that have helped me tremendously.

Remember that action is the best antidote for anxiety and depression. So when you feel those doubting or sinking thoughts creep in, propel yourself into action: begin your schoolwork, go for a walk or do a workout, call a friend. These actions will not only distract you from your thoughts, but they will replace them with a better feeling.

As always, if you have thoughts of harming yourself or others or feelings/experiences that are extremely dark, dangerous, or uncomfortable, make contact with a mental health professional and/or reach out to someone you trust.

8. Take charge of your quarantine life. While COVID is putting a huge strain on what we had envisioned 2020 to look like, it does not mean we have to sit this entire year out. We can still have a fruitful, joyful, productive year, but it is up to us to create a productive, happy “new normal” and hold ourselves accountable. Take control of your schedule, your mindset, and your priorities and build for yourself a meaningful 2020.

9. Use this time to your advantage. Many of us have suffered from feeling a lack of control in this situation. This thing is happening around us, happening to us, and we are simply in survival mode. How could you make this season work for you rather than against you?

It might be a time to take all of those hard classes and get them out of the way. Maybe you decide to take the year off from school to work and save money. Maybe you’ve been in desperate need of a break to relax and recharge or heal from some of the challenges you’ve faced recently.

Or did you ever have an idea in the back of your head but you never found the time to dedicate to it? Such as a side hustle you wanted to start or health/fitness goals that you wanted to achieve or learning how to cook or paint. Could it be now? Rarely are we graced with such a simple season that is uninterrupted by external pressures and demands. How could you come out of this season stronger, more authentic, more productive, and closer to achieving your goals?

10. Be creative. As I’ve said before, we can’t just watch Netflix for a whole year until this thing is over! You have to find creative ways to maintain the components of your life that are fulfilling to you. Missing being around other people? Organize a virtual hangout or game night with friends or family. In a relationship? Plan an in-house date night. Get dressed up and cook a fancy meal. Single but wanting to mingle? Dating is not canceled! Keep swiping, messaging, and offer a FaceTime date. This is the true test of compatibility! Sad you’re not able to travel this year? (This is me!) Do all of the research and plan the trip of your dreams for when the world opens up again!

This too will pass. In the meantime, protect your energy. Protect your body. Protect your loved ones and your community. And let’s keep surviving.

(Disclaimer: These thoughts are purely my own. I am not a health or mental health professional nor can I speak for the rules/regulations at each university. Please contact a professional in your community should you need help or have questions.)