Top Concerns and Mental Health Tips For College Students In a Covid World

The world is in a state of panic as the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the globe. Even though you're safe on your college campus, it can be hard to avoid hearing about people's family members and friends who are affected by the disease.

As a college student, there are certain feelings that may come up during this time such as fear for your own health and safety, sadness for those who have lost loved ones, and anger at those who should have been more responsible with their research.

However, one of the best things that you can do is to take responsibility for your own health. Consider these top concerns and our mental health tips for dealing with the coronavirus pandemic - and focus on your own wellbeing to help you get through these trying times.

Feeling Exhausted

If you’re feeling completely wiped out, don’t worry - you're not the only one. One of the most common complaints that people are expressing during the coronavirus pandemic is a feeling of utter exhaustion. This can be either physical or mental exhaustion, but in many cases, it’s both.

Anxiety is one of the biggest drivers behind these feelings of total lethargy. Being anxious has similar impacts on your body as intense exercise - your respiration gets faster, your muscles lock up, and your heart begins to race.

While you might get an initial burst of energy from these feelings of anxiety, your body can only last so long before it crashes.  

Of course, many people are dealing with a lack of sleep. For some, that may be due to a change in schedules that has caused a total deterioration of sleep hygiene and good sleep habits. You might find yourself scrolling through Instagram at 1 o’clock in the morning because - why not? You don’t have to get up early to commute to work or class. You just have to roll out of bed.

Other people may find it hard to sleep, despite the exhaustion, because of those aforementioned feelings of anxiety. Whatever the case may be, know that you aren’t alone if you’re feeling a bit run down these days.

Grieving Loss Of Your Identity

What is it about you that makes you - you? Is it the major you are studying? The activities you are involved with? The friends with whom you spend your time?

Chances are, the pandemic has upended many of your typical activities, causing you to put things on hold. With that, you may feel as though your identity has been set aside, too. You may find yourself questioning who you truly are if you aren’t a student, a camp counselor, an athlete, a friend.

Of course, one of the easiest ways to overcome these feelings is to hold on as tightly as possible to the elements of your personality that made you who you are. Although you might not be able to train with your team like you could before, you can still keep working to become more fit on your own.

If you’re feeling distant because you can’t see friends anymore, remember that there are still ways to keep in touch and to retain that element of who you are. Although FaceTime and social media might not be the best substitute for in-person contact, they may be the Band-Aid solutions you need at this moment in time.

Uncertainty

Uncertainty has been the only constant during the entire pandemic - the only thing that has been certain is uncertainty itself!

From changes in the news, to updates to state and federal policies regarding things like social distancing and mask mandates, there have been so many variables up in the air. Nothing is predictable!

Because of this, it’s easy to feel as though you’re riding a roller coaster each day.

Along with those feelings of uncertainty, you might be feeling a little less than confident about your own health, too. While you might not have paid much thought to your health in the past, the pandemic has given just about everyone some cause for alarm these days.

While you might have had these worries since the very start of the pandemic and the associated lockdowns, you might find that they are getting even worse now as college campuses resume normal activities. After all, you’ll have to be in contact with more people and participate in more activities that you otherwise would have avoided - and that can lead to some feeling of anxiety in and of itself.

Concerned About Income

Financial concerns are at the top of just about everyone’s list during the coronavirus crisis. With sky-high unemployment and layoff rates, it’s easy to see why. 

As a college student, your money worries might be even more pronounced. You might find yourself worrying about the high cost of college and your sky-high student loan debt. If you normally worked a job to help you pay for school you may have found yourself unable to do so, as many businesses were shut down during the pandemic.

If you were relying on your parents for financial support, your concerns might be even more pronounced - and so might your feelings of guilt. If your parents were footing the bill for all or some of your college costs, you may be doubly affected if they lost their jobs or had their hours cut back.

Of course, on top of all of these concerns, many college students are finding themselves feeling guilty because they are using family money to pay for college at all - and doing so at a time when their families are struggling financially. Is the cost of college really worth it? That might be a question you find yourself asking as the lockdowns drag on.

The Future

It’s normal to feel anxious as a college student as it is - and that’s in normal, pre-pandemic times.

You have so many decisions to make, after all. What classes will you take? Will you be able to find a job when you graduate? Will you be admitted into graduate school?

Just taking one small step out of sequence may feel like all of your plans are being thrown out into the breeze.

To deal with anxiety and feelings of uncertainty about the future, it’s important to put things into perspective - and to avoid allowing your thoughts and feelings to spiral out of control. 

Rather than worrying that you won’t do as well in your classes because online schooling is - let’s face it - hard, and assuming that will prevent you from getting into graduate school and subsequently getting the job you want, just focus on acing one class at a time.

Instead of panicking that you won’t get an internship because there are so few in-person internships at the moment, relax and remember that nobody is getting internships - not just you. Of course, you may find it helpful to be more proactive in your approach, too - and that’s where researching internships that can be completed remotely (or finding other, more creative ways to build your resume) can help as well.

Nobody knows how things will turn out - and that’s true in a normal year, too. So try not to let your worries get the best of you.

Frustrated With Rules and Limitations

Another common feeling that a college student might have during the pandemic is one of frustration. Are you sick of all the limitations and the rules? You’re not alone.

After all, this is supposed to be your time. You should be spending your days at parties, football games, and all-night study sessions - not locked away in quarantine. You might feel frustrated that you are still living at your parents’ house or frustrated by all the rules that have been set in place at a time in your life when there weren’t supposed to be any rules. 

We get it. It’s valid. Feelings of anger, sadness, and frustration are totally normal and to be expected. Of course, it’s also normal to have some serious FOMO right now - or Fear of Missing Out.

Even if all of those big college activities aren’t being canceled, you might be choosing to sit out (or forced to sit out, due to a self- or health department- imposed quarantine). While you might feel confident in your decision to stay at home, that doesn’t mean that you aren’t going to be sad about not being there.

Of course, this can lead to a whole new feeling in and of itself - as sad as you might be to have to miss out on all of these experiences, you might wonder whether you even deserve to be sad in the first place (heads up - you do - sadness isn’t something you have to earn).

Don’t beat yourself up when you feel frustrated or sad  - yes, there are people who are probably suffering more than you are, but that doesn’t mean that your feelings aren’t valid. Plus, denying these feelings or beating yourself up for them will only make it harder for you to work through them.

Unable To Concentrate

Having trouble focusing? You aren’t the only one. However, those feelings of being unable to concentrate can be augmented by being a college student. Now is, without a doubt, the most important time of your life to need to be able to focus! You’ve got finals to study for and a career that you need to prepare for - so why can’t you just sit down and focus already?

Your inability to concentrate might be worsened by the pandemic. You might find that situations such as a poor diet, limited exercise, or awful sleep hygiene have made it harder for you to be productive.

Fortunately, there are a few “hacks” you might consider to deal with this affliction. Try adjusting your course load if you can - take fewer classes, perhaps. Remember that just because you can do everything doesn’t mean you should do everything. You’re not a miracle-worker! It’s okay to just focus on getting by during these times.

Fearing Judgment About Your Decisions

If you feel more content and at ease than normal, don’t feel guilty about it. Take pride in the fact that you’re weathering this storm with ease! You might find that you’re having an easier time dealing with the pandemic if you are an introverted person or have social anxiety. Without all of the social demands of college, you might feel a bit better during these unusual times.

The pandemic is a good time to start practicing some self-care. You may have decided to pursue better sleep hygiene, to take up new hobbies, or to just spend more time focusing on yourself. That’s ok  - don’t feel guilty, and don’t let others judge you for your decisions, either.

Feeling Lonely

Loneliness is incredibly common during the pandemic. Although you might feel as though things like social media make it hard to feel disconnected, that’s not the case. It’s crucial to double up on your efforts to connect with friends and family during these difficult times.

It has less to do with how many friends you have or how many people you interact with each day - and more to do with the quality of those interactions.

Of course, if you’re concerned about your own mental health (the poor state of which can both contribute to and exacerbate feelings of loneliness), it’s a good idea to reach out for help. Even though many physicians have suspended in-person visits, you can still get the help you need with online or digital mental health resources and support groups.

That said, it could be that small adjustments - such as improving your diet or adding regular exercise into your daily routine - are all you need for a mental health boost, too, so feel free to give those a try as well.

Common Mental Health Feelings For College Students To Be Aware Of

College students are often considered one of the most vulnerable populations during a pandemic. They have less knowledge and experience with medical treatments, and they might be away from their support systems.

It is all too easy to feel as though your health, particularly your mental health, is at risk during these difficult times. However, by paying attention to your own worries and following these health tips, you'll be better prepared to weather anything this unusual storm throws your way!

Jessica Lauren is Founder, contributing Author and Owner of Citrus Sleep. Citrus Sleep is an online publication that highlights brands, sleep products, women’s fashion, subscription services and ideas creating positive social change and promoting a healthy lifestyle. After spending nearly a decade working in PR and marketing for several brands and startups, Jessica knows what truly drives conversions, sold-out launches and guest posts.

Follow Jessica at @jessicalaurencs | Jessica Lauren

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