Virtually Healthy

How Students Have Stayed Positive During Virtual Classes

Keeping+a+dedicated+workspace+can+help+give+students+more+of+a+work%2Flife+balance.+

Kaitlin Bitrick

Keeping a dedicated workspace can help give students more of a work/life balance.

Kaitlyn Bitrick, Staff Reporter

Students have been seeking ways to improve their mental health during virtual learning in various ways. However, it’s not easy for every student staying virtual at AHS.

Quarantine has forced students to learn from home and glue their eyes to computer screens from morning to night. Students start to feel “really drained and tired by the end of the school day,” junior Hayleigh Moneymaker said. “Some classes just hit harder than others.”

But what can students do about these tired and negative feelings?

“I would suggest having a separate workspace. If you work in your room, it’s hard to differentiate whether it’s a workspace or a sleep space,” junior Chloe Carpenter said

Counseling intern Valerie Funk suggested that students should act as if they are going to school, even if they are staying home. “Each day students should prepare themselves for school mentally, have a routine, get up every day at the same time, have a place that you do your zooming and work at, and yes, get dressed. All these things tell your mind, it is school time, and prepares you to do your work.”

For some students, distractions can be beneficial. “I listen to a lot of music,” Moneymaker said. “I try to get a lot of rest and I draw a lot. I think it gives my brain a distraction and keeps me busy so I don’t reflect on anything that’s too sad.”

While students can do many things to keep themselves focused, motivated and positive during the school day, students also mentioned teachers’ attempts at supporting them.

“My teacher would talk to me about what was going on in the world and it helps to not bottle up those feelings,” Carpenter said. “They hear me out when it comes to my opinions on what goes on in the world.”

Counselors are always open to email and can set up virtual meetings to help. “I think it is vital to state, if you are struggling, talk to your counselor,” Funk said. “Counselors can help to guide you and give you assistance on a more personal level. Stress management isn’t a one size fits all approach.

There are many adults here to help, your counselor, teachers, coaches, and administrators. Students are not alone and I want them to know that.”

Although no one can change the state of the world by snapping their fingers, students can do their best to focus on classes and improve their mental health one step at a time.