With Spring just around the corner, the end of another school year comes with it.
The days are longer and the sun is out, which can sometimes help with mental health issues. However, this season change is different for students.
The end of the winter term is slowly approaching and usually students don’t lose too much motivation for school work until closer to the end of the year. This year is different.
Western University Student, Reagan Stalkie, comments on her experience during this time.
“Online makes you burn out faster, staring a screen in your house all day. Not having that social release that we normally have is making it feel like work is the only thing I do”
After what feels like a long year, it has affected students in what would usually be, unthinkable ways. However, it’s now a reality for students.
Emma Smith, Western University Student, explains what she’s feeling.
“Normally, when it starts to get nicer out, I become a little bit unmotivated. But as of right now, not being able to go out and do anything is making me feel trapped in my house, feeling pressured to be constantly doing school work”
Students are feeling pressured to be always doing work because they’ve gotten into the mindset of feeling guilty when they’re not doing work. This then causes students to reject work or feel overwhelmed or exhausted.
Unfortunately, this is a pandemic related issue, but there are some solutions for students that could help their current struggles.
- Take a break/walk outside
- Assign a start/end time for work during the weekdays
- Try to get ready for the day
- If able to, create a study space that you’re able to walk away from
- Give yourself credit for the small things
