As I’m sure many of us have become aware of, living through a pandemic means that everything is subject to change, and it seems that all our plans are uncertain. As human beings we desire a sense of security and predictability but with the way our world is, it’s understandable how all this uncertainty can make us feel overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious.
For many of us, starting off this semester back online may feel upsetting and discouraging. When the pandemic first began almost two years ago in March 2020, I was in my first year at UVic, and within days face-to-face classes were cancelled, and school moved online. Looking back, I would have never guessed that I would complete more of my courses on zoom than in lecture halls. It feels disappointing for me to not have a ‘typical’ university experience, but what I have come to realize is that it’s not just me that feels this way. No one else for the past two years has had a normal experience with their education, and we’ve all had to adjust to the new technology and methods of teaching. The uncertainty of what the future of this semester may look like can be stressful, but most of us students have taken online classes before, and we have the capabilities to do it again.
It’s important to remember that you are not alone in dealing with the disappointment brought on by covid. In a sense I almost find it comforting to know that everyone worldwide is finding new ways of adjusting to life and coping with the repercussions covid has caused. Whether it be cancelled vacation plans, taking classes on online, gyms closing, or loss of a job, we all have experienced some sort of loss associated with the uncertainty of the world. It can be extremely frustrating and disappointing with all these unknowns, but I find solace in knowing that we are all in the same boat.
Tips for managing uncertainty:
Below I have included some tips that have personally helped me manage my feelings of stress and provided me some relief coping with the difficult circumstances of the unknown. I hope that these tips can also prove useful to you!
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Stick to a routine that you can control
For me, having some structure to my day makes me feel more productive and organized for the day ahead. Sticking to a consistent routine gives me a sense of stability and shifts my attention to the things I have power over, instead of worrying about things beyond my control. Personally, I find it helpful to have structure in my mornings so that I have a clear mind when I begin my online classes.
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Learn to sit with the feeling uncertainty, and focus on the positives of the situation
Learning to accept that things will not always go the way I intend has been challenging, however it’s been helpful for me to shift my mindset to positive aspects that come from change. Just because situations may occur differently than expected, doesn’t mean that bad things will happen. While school going online can feel discouraging, I also see it as an opportunity for flexibility. The potential to study from anywhere has given me the ability to stay in my hometown this semester and be close to my family, partner, and friends. I would have liked to attend classes in-person this term, however I am thankful to be so close to the people I love.
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Connect with others
I find it very beneficial to have a place to vent and air out my frustrations when I feel upset about things. Having a friend, family member, or partner to talk to gives me the space to share and reflect on how I’m feeling and reminds me that I’m not alone in feeling this way.
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Explore ways of coping with stress and anxiety
The last tip I have is to find ways that work for you to cope with feelings of stress and anxiety. There is a plethora of tools and resources that can be used to help manage these feelings, so below I’ve included my favourite ways to support my wellbeing and feel a sense of peace and clarity.
- Exercise
- Getting some fresh air and enjoying nature
- Talking about my feelings
- Journaling
- Spending time with others
- Hanging out with a pet
- Cleaning and organizing my space
Best of luck to everyone this semester! 🙂
The views expressed in this blog are my own, and do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of the University of Victoria. I monitor posts and comments to ensure all content complies with the University of Victoria Guidelines on Blogging.
The views expressed in this blog are my own, and do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of the University of Victoria. I monitor posts and comments to ensure all content complies with the University of Victoria Guidelines on Blogging.