Clearing the clutter from your mind like you would  clean up your work area is one technique that might help you keep some of that mind intact. Photo by Carlos Martinez.

By Carlos Martinez, Web Editor

2020 is like a never-ending marathon, you keep thinking that you see the finish line, but there’s still 20 miles left to run. Like some sort of real-life “Fear Factor,” we kept tip-toeing around in a politically charged year with boastful President Trump declaring that a great red wave is coming. 

But instead, we ended up with a third COVID-19 wave that is pushing the U.S past 10 million cases.

Despite all of the madness and the endless cycle of insomnia, depression and extreme weight changes, I managed to face the world with optimism. 

I’ve been pretty vocal about my stance on online learning, it’s something that I hate with a fiery passion. However, virtual learning doesn’t feel too bad after creating a process to keep the positivity going in the past eight months.

Talking to yourself

Not everyone would be willing to have a full conversation with themselves if it’ll make them look insane. I guarantee it helps blow off steam and the anxiety that’s brewing inside. 

Whenever I start to freak out about the financial burdens of being on furlough for months and the strain of trying to keep up with classes in an environment where the internet drops every 30 minutes, I take a minute to reflect on myself. 

I typically talk to myself while pacing around the room, venting out the problem that is making my life 10 times harder and spitting out possible solutions that will make it somewhat bearable. 

Even if you’re in a crowded area with the need to relieve off some stress, you can still have a conversation with yourself without being vocal. 

Sending yourself a text message or writing a letter to yourself helps with purging out the negativity out of your system and helps you form a plan that will get you from point A to B.

Build a support group

Your support group doesn’t have to be just members of your family.

Although everyone in my household is feeling the effects of a pandemic, not everyone is facing the challenges of being a student with terrible internet and lack of privacy. 

The people that can relate to your struggles as a student are students themselves. 

This semester I noticed I’ve been more involved with classes and more social with my classmates. Regardless of our differences, we all relate with one another about handling school while being limited to the resources at home. 

We have casual Zoom sessions as a group to detox while giving each other advice and joke around with one another. We would also get together for an intense round of “Among Us” while accusing each other on Discord. 

It’ll be awkward at first trying to interact with students that you might not ever see in person again, but having a small group makes virtual college life easier.

Be realistic, but optimistic

Being realistic is one of the hardest things that I had to learn during the pandemic. 

Pre-pandemic, I had a hectic schedule between school, work and helping with social media for a friend’s start-up while having no social life and staying home. 

Despite having to change into my work clothes in the bathrooms on campus or doing projects during my breaks and lunches, I still had resources such as foolproof Wi-Fi and computer programs that helped me stay on track amidst the weekly chaos. 

Handling online learning with my sister while having fluctuating periods of personal space opened my eyes to how limited I am this semester.

The internet comes and goes, depending on how many students are online in our community, and so did the power during the Irvine fire a few weeks ago. On occasion, my laptop tends to freeze for days while trying to update right before classes or when an assignment is due.

There will be times where something terrible will happen and there’s not much you could really do. The only option is to be realistic with what you can do at the moment. 

Instead of stressing over what needs to be done, be happy for the things that you were able to accomplish during that week and stay motivated to finish off what’s left another day. 

Being realistic about your situation but staying positive about it can go a long way. 

Things suck right now and it might get worse before it can get better, but if you keep these tips in mind you can feel at ease.