According to Humber Polytechnic's Wellness Centre, the beginning of the semester can bring about a wave of loneliness that effects students during their studies.
Many students start the semester feeling isolated as they start a new academic routine. Humber Polytechnic provides free counselling services and workshops and other resources to help students around campus in these times to balance their college life and social life.
Second year media communications student Tanya Woods has created a self-care plan going in the winter semester to help with hard times. She is journaling about things happening in her daily life, using less social media as much as possible, and listening to music.
“I try to cope with my mental health in the most positive ways like journaling, because it gives a way to organize my thoughts. Or sometimes, I would listen to music when I’m on my way to school,” Woods said.
Humber Polytechnic's wellness workshops' aim to help students with uplifting conversations about mental health and coping strategies in students’ academic life.
This winter, the second week of the semester coincided with Blue Monday, which is dubbed “the saddest day of the year,” falls on the third Monday in January.
Blue Monday is for mental health advocators who bring awareness to young adults who struggle with mental health during the winter season and trying to balance education.
Students who work, go to school and having daily responsibilities can affect young students in many ways and making it hard to take care of their mental health, including financial pressures.
Krysti Jaglo, a media communication student at University of Guelph-Humber, works and goes to school but tries her best to find time to hang out with her friends on the weekends or Fridays.
“Having company is probably the biggest thing cause when you’re by yourself all the time it’s easy to get into your head and then when your constantly busy you’re also not able to prioritize as much as you like,"Jaglo said.
