Anxious at home? Suggestions from Psychology teachers in WKU

The rampant of COVID-19 has a wide impact. Faced with this “super long” vacation, many students show some anxiety and panic, especially due to the recent constant outbreaks overseas, this kind of panic spreads again.

In order to alleviate students’ anxiety at home and improve happiness, WKU Acting Associate Dean of Liberal Arts, Dr. Raquel A Stuart along with Executive Director, Dr. Verneda P. Hamm Baugh, Associate Professor, Dr. llyse O’Desky, Lecturers Dr. Charles Brown, Dr. Janine Martins-Shannon and Dr. Yu-Hsin Chen come up with some helpful suggestions to tackle the problems that students might come across amid epidemic and to ease the tension in study and life.

Q

Stressed by online courses, worrying about the quality?

A

Please do not worry too much about the quality of the online lessons. The quality of the online course has been tested for multiple times, there is an assurance. The team continues to improve on the problems that are currently present. In my personal experience, students can communicate better through our online courses. Sometimes, it even enables more efficient interaction. For example, some students are ashamed to express themselves in the classroom, because they feel that their spoken English is not good enough, but they can express themselves more boldly behind the screen.

It is true that as a new platform, adaptation takes time, and there will be pressure at the beginning, especially in this situation, the pressure may be even greater, we fully understand. But you can take it this way. For teachers, this is also a brand-new attempt. We are under the same pressure as you, but we will go through this together. And after going through the initial stage, we will become more and more familiar with this platform, and the pressure will be reduced a lot for sure.

Q

No social life for months, feel lonely and empty?

A

When one stay alone for a long time, people usually have anxiety as social needs is important part of security. We don’t need to deliberately avoid it. Now we may not be able to perform offline activities, but we can make some new attempts, such as chatting with friends and communicating online to relieve the pressure. You can try new entertainment methods, such as games, movies with friends online… You need to support each other to release the negative feelings.

Q

Strained relation with parents drives you crazy?

A

Every individual will be stressed in this extreme environment. Please don’t  transfer our stress to another individual for granted. Instead, find a way to break down this anxiety. The communication between parents and children should be strengthened at this time. Don’t be embarrassed and afraid to express your feelings. You can be anxious; you can be fragile. These are normal psychological needs under stress. Do not try to suppress these feelings. You can communicate with parents, peers, and classmates. The most important thing is to vent these negative feelings.

Q

Study or work schedule get interrupted?

A

World keeps changing, we need to develop our ability to cope with changes. One of the most important point of our education is to teach us how to learn quickly. This ability also includes how to adapt and respond quickly in poor environments.

At this stage, we can think it in another way and make best use of it.

For those who are not yet graduate, you could consider your next move for either your career or study. Think about how to conduct research, independence is vital to your next phase study. If you have time, why not start earlier?

For those, who have already got specific application plans. You can practice paperwork and consult your foreign teachers for more professional advice.

In personal statement, the Academy wants to see not only what kind of problems you meet, but also how you respond. This epidemic situation can be regarded as a challenge. How you adapt to it is precisely what good schools value.

Q

Worst-hit areas, too much anxiety, insomnia and nightmares, do I need seek for professional help?

A

For the worst-hit areas, like Hubei the most important thing is to get the work done in accordance with the requirements of epidemic containment. Don’t worry too much.We have been immersing in epidemic reports recently, we may feel that we may be infected at any time, but the fact is that as long as we do a good job of prevention and control, it should not be a big problem. But if you have had negative feelings, it is recommended to watch less news related to the epidemic. If you feel extremely nervous and suffer from nightmares frequently, then you should look for professional help.

In general, it is recommendable to have a schedule during epidemic, living, studying and socializing according to the plan. Anxiety often stems from the unknown. Regarding the epidemic issue, the current situation is quite transparent, and we can obtain more comprehensive information online. For personal work or study plans, you need seek more information to eliminate this anxiety. But there is one thing to be aware of, no matter whether it is seeking professional psychological assistance or obtaining study and work information, the online information is complicated, and you need to distinguish between true and false. If you have any questions, you can seek help from career development center or psychological consultation room.

During the interview, all participants showed their opinions. The WKU Associate Dean of Liberal Arts, Dr. Raquel A Stuart expressed, we hope this urgent arranged panel could provide some supports to our students and pass on our concerns to their mental health. If they find any mental problems, please feel free to contact Suntree Counseling Center, the school’s counseling center. Wishing all of you happy and healthy at home.