Returning to campus in Fall is almost always stressful on some level. It’s not necessarily bad stress, though: we’re excited; we’re going through major transition; we’re resuming classes, moving, and getting used to new schedules.
This autumn, however, has the potential to be even more stressful than usual. (And new students – we’re sure this is probably not what you expected your first year at UMD to look like.) We are still trying to navigate a pandemic, we are trying to be creative in how we socialize and attend classes while staying safe, our country has once again been confronted with its own systemic injustice and racism, and we are entering the final season of our election cycle. Many of us have experienced loss, sickness, grief, and anger, and now we are re-learning how to connect in our residence halls and apartment communities while attending virtual classes. It will probably feel more chaotic and way less connected than usual – and that may trigger thoughts and feelings we might not even be fully aware of. Those feelings could include isolation, loneliness, disconnectedness, anxiety, nervousness, powerlessness, and more. In fact, as we continue to slowly reopen, many people are experiencing even more mental and emotional distress as they leave the safety of their known environments and increase their exposure to other people. If you’re feeling extra-anxious, lonely, sad, or angry this semester, it’s perfectly natural – just don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
Reach out where? Well, the Counseling Center is still providing virtual services, and you can call them at 301-314-7682 and reach someone at any hour of day. They’ve also pulled together a page of COVID-19 Care& Support Resources, which outline coping strategies, virtual resources, and their own counseling services right now in detail. The section on virtual resources includes some great links to exercises, workbooks, strategies, and toolkits that you can either use at your own pace or discuss online with a group of friends.
The Counseling Center has also created a number of virtual workshops that can be really helpful right now. Check out their Wellness Workshops for sessions that tackle coping skills, resilience, relationships, and communication – with a special focus on the reality of living virtually during a pandemic. There’s even a drop-in space for when you’re really craving community and support.
You can also reach out to your RA, your Resident Director, or your Case Manager. We are here to provide support, and to help you think creatively about accessing resources, connecting to your community, and adjusting to these strange times. It might be easy to feel alone right now, but you aren’t – we are all on your side, and we all need help swimming upstream.
- You can read more about dealing distress related to COVID, racism and injustice, and other major occurrences by reading What to Do When Current Events Cause Anxiety at HealthyPlace.com.