OVERCOMING THE ACADEMIC SEQUELAE OF COVID
Last week’s blog was all good and well, and sound strategy. But–and I’ve got to address this–this year is not like all the Falls in previous decades. We expected Fall 2020 and Fall 2021 to be a challenge because COVID. Now, Fall 2022, we’re back on campus. Sort of. Mostly. Sometimes. Maybe. Life is back to a new normal. Except . . . it isn’t.
And that is affecting students across the country. Earlier this month, CBC reported on research that found the pandemic affected post-secondary students’ academic, physical and mental health. Professors are reporting a greater-than-usual drop in attendance and class engagement, even in senior courses. Students are saying they fear they are not keeping up academically due to skills missed during COVID, and are challenged just keeping on top of everything they need to get done. Many of my clients are coping with yielding to a “What’s the point” perspective. (We work with that.)
If this is a bit of a downer, take security in the knowledge that it’s not just you. It’s not even just students. Your professors are facing the same uncertainties of what’s next and may be worn down by this time of term, finding it harder to be inspiring or to get the work done. In the larger world, you may have heard of “quiet quitting” on the job.
Yes, it’s tough. You may very well take a hit. What you can do is to keep this effect from being a lifelong derailment. Your perspective can shift to the long view–this situation is not forever, even though sometimes it seems that way.
Last week I recommended goal review and some time and project management tips. The challenge is implementing all of those good ideas from last week’s blog when your motivation has taken the hit that is common to many of us now, and you just don’t feel like doing anything much, or are afraid you’ll never catch up.
Grab a coffee. Or a tea.
Tell yourself that ten years from now, you will be further ahead than you are right now. It may not all be easy sailing. There are real challenges. Look at your goal. Put it on the shelf for a few moments.
Now break out where you are today. For now, just take stock in three areas:
Is your motivation down to the point where you are missing class, skipping hygiene, just don’t want to do much? Just make a note and pencil in, “Call student services or my psych.”
Are your grades such that a course or program is at risk? Just make a note and pencil in, “Talk to prof,” or “Talk to academic advisor.”
Are you overwhelmed by too much to get done? Just make a note, “Call student learning centre,” or make a note to connect with me.
You may have other resources than those I’ve suggested–use those, of course. Once you have pencilled in the resources, endorse yourself. You have taken the first necessary step for dealing.
Now, Step Two.
Look up the number(s) for the resources. Choice: Call one right now. Or put it in your calendar to call tomorrow. And endorse yourself for this step.
These are small steps, but they are first steps for getting out of being bogged down. They’re steps in the right direction. The key is (a) small manageable steps and (b) endorsing for each effort.
No drama to close with here. Just know you are not in this alone. You’re building your War Stories and Depression Era stories to terrify your grandchildren with, and you’ll get through with lumps and bumps, the way your grandparents and great-grandparents did.
Again, you are not in this alone. Connect with your resources, and that can include me. [email protected]
The information in this blog cannot take the place of support from your own mental health professional or community health resources. Reach out to them. And IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS PLEASE DIAL 911.