Friday, April 17, 2020 Your Well-being: I'm finishing my senior year strong
I have mixed feelings about the transition to remote learning.
In the beginning, I was upset due to the fact that I am a senior and would therefore miss out on my final moments at the University. I worried about the cancellation of the graduation ceremony, too. I’m a first-generation college student and my family was really excited to watch me walk across the stage and get my diploma. These worries have since subsided due to the ceremony being conducted in August, although it is not the same. Regardless, I am very grateful that I still get the opportunity to walk across the stage and get my diploma.
Although there were emotional difficulties, I am grateful for the support of my family and friends. This situation has reinforced the importance of human connection and valuing the time spent with loved ones. I am also grateful for the supportive faculty who understand how difficult and unfamiliar this transition is. Most importantly, I am grateful for my health and my family’s health.
Seven practices I recommend to balance your well-being during the spring semester's last weeks. Several involve enjoying nature and the environment – perfect for the upcoming Earth Day.
- Do not force yourself to be hyper-productive during this time. It is important to remember that having the time and energy to indulge in a hobby is a privilege during these trying times.
- Create a schedule in order to stay on track. You do not have to spend all day doing school work, but it is important to have a schedule so you do not fall behind. Also, instead of creating a schedule, you can create a to-do list for the day to help ease the sensation of being overwhelmed by school work.
- Schedule breaks during your day to go outside and enjoy nature. You can take a short walk or you can just sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.
- If you are able, try doing homework outside when the weather is nice. It helps ease the feeling of being cooped up in the house.
- Meditate. In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.
- Keep active. This can be hard without access to a gym, but there are plenty of ways to stay active. YouTube is a great place for short workout videos or yoga videos. Even if it is only 10 minutes, it is better than nothing at all.
- If you are able, start gardening whether that be just a single plant or a garden. It helps take my mind off of things.
Maizie Humm is a senior Community Health and Wellness & Sociology major and a well-being ambassador at Big Red Resilience and Well-being (BRRWB) within UNL Student Affairs. BRRWB helps students in all areas of of well-being: social, cultural, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, financial, career, environmental, and physical. Schedule an appointment with a well-being coach here.