91快色

Early last month undergraduate student Aaron So had a stacked schedule. In addition to running from class to class, he was also volunteering for U91快色's Campus Community Hub and the Alberta Children's Hospital. The Friday March 13 announcement in U91快色 email inboxes set in motion changes felt across campus. For now, So鈥檚 extracurricular commitments have been put on hold, and he works on his studies at a desk set up in his bedroom.

The psychology student describes his life pre-COVID as 鈥渒ind of hectic. I had a lot of schoolwork and volunteering, so when the notice came to transition to online learning, it wasn鈥檛 just my studies that changed, it was every aspect of my life. I knew it was for the best, but volunteering helped me connect with people in my community, so in terms of my mental health, it hit me really hard.鈥�

For So, who鈥檚 so used to helping, keeping at home during a pandemic was a bit of a mind game. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e so used to doing all these things, they represent who you are. Now with physical distancing measures, you feel like you should be doing more but you know you can鈥檛.鈥�

Adjusting to an ever-changing world

When in-person classes were cancelled, So tried to remain positive; thinking with the extra time and flexibility in his schedule, he鈥檇 be able to knock the winter semester out of the park. However, in that first week of online classes his motivation and energy had markedly diminished.

鈥淒uring that first week I kept pressing myself: 'Why am I not at the same energy level, why can鈥檛 I do the exact same amount of work I was doing before?' I love routine, so when I didn鈥檛 have a schedule anymore, I wasn鈥檛 motivated to wake up and I procrastinated more.鈥�

Confused and frustrated, he reached out to friend and fellow student, Catherine Cheung, and realized he wasn鈥檛 alone. After taking time to adjust to the changing context and a new way of doing things, he realized he couldn鈥檛 operate under the same assumptions he had at the start of his winter semester. He equates our collective experience not unlike a tenant of a scientific experiment.

I realized we鈥檙e all in a completely new environment, under a whole new set of conditions. You can鈥檛 100 per cent apply the same expectations that you had before.

In the four weeks and counting days since being off campus, So has been learning and practising self-compassion. He empathizes with other home-bound folks: 鈥淵ou鈥檙e home, you鈥檙e in your bed, it鈥檚 comfortable, it鈥檚 warm. You can鈥檛 really expect the exact same thing as you did before, you need to find a new baseline.

鈥淚 still catch myself questioning my behaviour and have to remind myself: 'You can鈥檛 make that same connection because it鈥檚 an entirely different situation.'鈥�

Connecting in new ways

So is still getting used to the stress of isolation, but he鈥檚 been inspired by the change in digital communication patterns. In his first week off-campus, So鈥檚 academic supervisor emailed him to check in, not on his academics, but to see how he was doing personally.

鈥淭hat made me feel so good. It inspired me to look at my contact list and send friends a similar message, asking how they鈥檙e doing. I wanted to show them the same kind of care: Someone is out there, and if you need someone to talk to, I鈥檓 here.鈥� It鈥檚 easy to feel socially isolated with physical distancing, so maintaining connection, albeit digitally, can make a big difference.

Living moment to moment, day to day

Another moment of relief came for So when he changed his expectations around control.

鈥�It鈥檚 kind of a wake-up call. This is the control I have of life, and with this pandemic I realize I can only plan so much. I can鈥檛 look into the future with as much clarity as before. At this point the best I can do is to be in the moment and do the best I can. I can think about the future, but sometimes I don鈥檛 even know what will happen tomorrow.鈥�

So weighs in with some advice along the same line: 鈥淚t鈥檚 good to have goals, but keep them flexible. No one knows how long we鈥檒l be in this situation, so understand that you can only do your best day by day, moment to moment. I think that鈥檚 what can motivate us. There are some things that you can鈥檛 foresee, some things that are out of your control, so put your focus in the now.鈥�

When asked about his upcoming finals, So cringes, then breaks into a smile: offering up what he鈥檚 been telling himself: 鈥淛ust do your best. That鈥檚 the only thing I can say. Literally that is all that鈥檚 keeping me motivated. That鈥檚 all you can ask of yourself during this time.鈥�

Many different experiences

So鈥檚 experiences with isolation and losing motivation represent some of the challenges facing students in our changing context. Other challenges that may be a result of, or exacerbated by, our context include: experiencing domestic or dating violence, intense emotions or suffering, difficulties with substance use, or financial difficulties. For some, these challenges may be harder to navigate then others but there are resources and supports available to help.

U91快色 resources on COVID-19

At U91快色 we continue to offer mental health support for students, faculty and staff with remote services. If you are experiencing significant stress related to your mental health during COVID-19, seek support 鈥� visit our  web page for a list of resources and supports.

If you are in distress, please call the Wood鈥檚 Homes Community Support team at 403-299-9699 or the Distress Centre at 403-266-4357.

A team of volunteers are here to help. Take the to let us know how we might be able to support you.