RuthAnn Dave

Lifestyles Editor

rud24@psu.edu

Well folks…we did it. After spending 18 long, stressful months battling with various technical difficulties, classes getting canceled last minute and missing classes due to COVID, we can finally ease our ways back to a quasi-normal life here at Penn State Behrend. As of August 23rd, 2021, almost all courses have resumed to being in-person classes. Even though socialization is a good thing for us as humans, some of us might be feeling social fatigue after the first week back. You might have come home after the first day thinking, I don’t know how I survived today…or how I’m going to survive this semester. This social fatigue is completely explainable. We got so used to months of “Do college in your bedroom alone by clicking ZOOM links” to “Do classes with at least 18 other students in the same room as you and you have to walk all over campus too.” How can one go about combating this burnout early on? Below are 10 ways to re-adjust to on-campus college as well as combat social burnout.

• Only attend gatherings you feel attached to: Some of you spend all day sitting in classes you did not want to take, so why would you go to gatherings you do not want to go to? Putting yourself in an enjoyable environment causes less stress and overwhelm.

• Dedicate a night to calling home: Sometimes, talking to your family helps relieve tension and stress, even if the topic is not school-related. Take some time to contact family to catch them up on college.

• Listen to music or podcasts: Listening to something in the background while you are doing homework or cooking creates a personalized controlled environment. If you find it hard to follow along to the audio, you can simply turn it off. It is an easy way to escape people without it being rude.

• Reach out to someone: Stay with me on this one. I know it sounds counterintuitive to talk to people when people are what caused the burnout. Sometimes talking to people about your overwhelm or stress can be super beneficial to you. Find a friend or family member who will be a listening ear to you.

• Practice journaling: If talking to someone is not your strong suite, try journaling your thoughts and emotions. Keeping these thoughts and feelings bottled up leads to unhealthy mental manifestation and explosion, so take time for yourself and let go.

• Try meditation: Taking a few seconds to unwind and unplug your brain can be the difference between insanity and sanity. Download a white noise app, find a quiet room, and take a while to destress.  

• Go on a hike: Much like meditation, hiking is a great way to unwind and unplug from today’s world of electronics. Luckily, Behrend’s Wintergreen Gorge is filled to the brim with hiking trails, peaceful surroundings, and amazing views.

•  Lift weights: Sometimes, going to the gym helps people take their minds off any stress that classes may bring. Behrend’s Junker Center is open from 7am-11pm. Junker is open for all students, so take advantage of the gym now.