Claudia Rivera 

Editor- in- Chief 

cmr6395@psu.edu 

Now that summer has come and gone, and the reality of school has finally settled in, it might be hard to let go of the fun, carefree summer we had and get back to our regular everyday tasks. Going back to school this year has impacted students more than ever before. After a year long battle with Zoom, the internet, and the horrible procrastination habits we picked up, it is finally time to resume to in person classes.

Finally, we go back to walking the long halls and the high hills of Penn State Behrend almost like we never left. We as students are expected to know how to handle the stress of school, I mean after all we have been dealing with this stress for many years. Yet somehow, it never seems to become easier or simply more manageable. Just how you might be struggling, many are struggling, so here are some tips that will help you juggle school, your personal life and the pandemic a little easier. 

• First, do not forget that this is undiscovered territory. This is a new pandemic and it is okay for students to be feeling lost, confused, exhausted as well as mentally fatigued. The first thing you need to do is take a deep breath and accept our reality and choose a goal. 
• Second, once you have selected your goal, think of ways to achieve that goal, for example if your goal is to make new friends on campus, make sure to sign up for clubs and chat with people who you have things in common with, like fellow class students, fellow athletes or even people who are just walking down the hall who may appear to be lost, like you. 
• Third, find comfort in the little things. Find a spot on campus that brings you peace, whether that is the auditorium, the planetarium, or a small room in the library. It is important to have a space where you can escape the harshness and reality of our world, a place where you can relax and center yourself in the middle of this craziness. 
• Fourth, make sure that you have someone to talk to. This by far is the best advice I can offer you. You are not the only person struggling, you are not the only person navigating these bumpy and unclear waters, find someone who you can relate to and talk to. One of the best things that college can offer you is the notice that you are embarking on this journey with people who are similar to you, people who have common goals as well as similar ways of achieving those goals. Find people who you can talk to and you will realize that all of you will face these terrible times together and come out of this battle victorious. 
• Lastly, do not be afraid to reach out and seek professional help. Just how there are many people who are struggling and dealing with similar issues, different people also deal with different things differently. There is no clean plan or model for which we deal with things mentally. Find what works for you and do not be afraid to talk about it. Some people find comfort in playing sports, some find comfort in talking to friends, but many find comfort in talking to professionals who are here to help and make sure the students and faculty here at Behrend are safe and happy. Please contact the counseling office for any help or questions that you might have, and please remember that you are not alone in this battle. 

I am sure that most of us are happy to get a sense of normalcy back into our life, I know for a fact that I am but do not forget that we are all humans, and it is okay for you to feel feelings of anxiety and worry amongst many others. Please do not think you are alone, and more importantly do not suffer in silence.