Fall term on campus is often filled with the excitement of returning from co-op or summer break. Even students who have been in classes all summer are eager to reunite with familiar faces, anxious to return for a new academic year. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the winter term.
I have spoken to several students who feel similarly regarding winter term, with the overall consensus being that classes are emptier, more difficult and the walks to class are brutal with the weather. Feeling exhausted, unmotivated and having difficulty staying positive is a common experience for many students.
Winter term, with its cold temperatures and shorter days, creates conditions that make seasonal affective disorder, or seasonal depression, more likely to affect students. This form of depression is linked to a lack of exposure to sunlight and shorter days. Symptoms are more common than one might think, including feelings of irritability, frustration, restlessness, having difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions; and more. The mental health crisis among college students, specifically, has been exponentially worsening with more and more individuals being affected by mental health issues.
So why does winter term feel especially daunting? Aside from the weather, the fast-paced nature of Drexel’s academic calendar leaves little room to breathe and can feel overwhelming. Many of us are in the midst of finding a co-op, balancing several credits and being members of numerous clubs, all while adjusting to being back from break. However, it is important to remember that support is available, and prioritizing mental health is crucial.
Freshman biomedical engineering major Lamisa Topader expresses her experience so far in winter term: “The transition from break to classes was a drastic change. The professors are not as welcoming this [term] and are jumping right into materials without much explanation. I think it has a lot to do with material already being taught during fall term and professors also being burnt out.” Topader’s experience highlights the struggles many students face during winter term, and underscores the importance of finding ways to cope and seek support.
Tehreem Kabir, a third-year peer counselor at Drexel, shares her insight into strategies she typically recommends to struggling students.
“The key is to know yourself because every person is different and has different needs. The most effective approach, in my opinion, is community. Whatever you are struggling with, it can be very helpful to try to communicate with and surround yourself with people you are close to and trust, whoever that may be. And if there isn’t anyone that comes to mind, which is perfectly normal, by the way, well, that’s what the peer counselors are here for. We are here for anyone who wants to talk about absolutely anything.”
Kabir highlights campus resources, stating that, “Drexel offers free therapy for anyone who is seeking support, and if individual therapy does not work for someone, we also have group therapy. Groups can be a good way to communicate with people who have been through similar things as you without feeling too much pressure on yourself to share. Peer counseling is a great option to talk or vent to other like-minded students about anything they’re going through.”
However, Kabir emphasizes that therapy may not be for everyone and recommends other options such as mindfulness workshops that can be attended online. “If someone just wants a space to decompress and relax by themselves, we have a Wellness Room located in the Counseling Center which is a very cozy space and contains things like yoga mats, essential oils, self-care cards, etc.”
Mental health resources on campus can be found online.
Drexel provides a variety of services, including peer counseling, group counseling, individual counseling with a licensed professional, wellness workshops and more!
To specifically target Seasonal Affective Disorder, Drexel offers a Light Box Therapy Program where students can check out a light box that mimics natural sunlight, in an attempt to “affect brain chemicals linked to mood and sleep, possibly easing symptoms of SAD.”
Student organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Drexel Active Minds, Students of Color in Psychology and other clubs prioritize the discussion and importance of mental health and receiving help. On February 17, SOCPSY will be hosting a Winter Self-care event where they will discuss what seasonal depression is, tips and strategies to deal with seasonal depression and receive resources that are available to students on Feb. 17 at 5:30 PM in the Academic Building- Classroom 108.