Taking Notes | Photo by Grace Ramsdell | The Wright State Guardian
Students at Wright State University (WSU) have experienced an overall decline in their mental health due to the coronavirus and online schooling.
A biochemistry student perspective
One student, a senior biochemistry major has found that they do not learn as well with online classes as they do in person.
“When this started, spring was really rough,” the student said. “I was finishing Bio-Chem 2, and the transition online wasn’t planned for. This semester, while smoother, I’m finding myself doing more and more busywork to compensate for lack of learning. Some professors are really trying but the decreasing levels of communication, increased workload and the online format make it difficult to learn and have taken a toll on my mental health.”
This increased workload has students feeling behind with no way to catch up. According to the student, their depression, coupled with stress, has caused their motivation to be at an all-time low.
“I’m supposed to be applying to grad school, but this semester is making me question all of that,” they said.
Most of the student’s household has lost their jobs due to the pandemic, and two members of their household are considered to be at high risk for the coronavirus. This has caused financial strain for the student.
“I’ve been self-isolating since March because if anyone were to get sick, it could bankrupt us,” they said. “Everyone is home 24/7, and it’s been an adjustment as boundaries that normally would be respected if only due to the fact that we all used to have schedules that didn’t overlap, were being crossed.”
A mass communication student perspective
Mass communication major Patrick Schmalstig has been taking online classes during the fall semester. However, Schmalstig finds it difficult since the lockdown started to get out as often as they used to and keep themselves occupied.
“I had to basically find new ways and new resources to keep me occupied and not let myself slip into anxiety and things like that,” said Schmalstig. “One of the reasons I try and stay active and busy with as much as possible is because it’s an escape, so to speak. In a way, I’m a workaholic because it keeps my mental health stable when I’m actively doing things.”
Because of the pandemic, Schmalstig has had less disposable income.
“I’m only having about $35 every two weeks or so to spend on groceries, food, and other things, which is not ideal,” said Schmalstig. “Because of this financial strap, I’ve had to deprioritize my classes temporarily and focus more on earning money so that I can get my finances back on track, and as a result of doing that, I’ve fallen behind in one of my classes. That’s created a little bit more stress.”
A geography student perspective
Some students, including geography major Josh Engle, have decided to take the semester off due to the pandemic and their experiences last spring with online classes.
“The isolation and loneliness can be brutal some days and this has been a painful break in my education,” said Engle. “That has me stressed out. One of the things that have hurt the most is that a lot of the socialization I have been getting came from university activities, and being alone has been hard.”
Advice from Counseling & Wellness
Counseling & Wellness Staff Psychologist Dr. Sarah Peters sees students at WSU to be incredibly resilient while facing the pandemic, and she offered advice for students who are dealing with low mental health during this semester.
“One thing that I’ve definitely seen that this pandemic has reiterated is that we have some of the most innovative and creative and just inventive students,” said Peters. “One thing to know is that there are going to be good days and there’s going to be bad days and that the bad days are going to pass. It can be really hard when we’re in it and in the middle of the semester, in the middle of the pandemic, to know that there’s going to be something different on the other side.”
Peters recommends for students to reach out, use their resources and keep in mind that the current conditions are going to change.
“The pandemic will not last forever,” said Peters. “Even the worst semester is only 15 weeks long. Whether it’s reaching out to faculty or staff or other supports on campus, we’re all figuring out a way to get through this.”
Counseling & Wellness can be reached by phone at 937-775-3407 and are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They also offer limited in-person services at their office in the 053 Student Union.
