PROFESSORS VS. STUDENTS

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE FEELING LOST?

STORY BY VITTINA IBANEZ

All have felt lost at one point or another, whether they’re struggling with school, the future, creativity or themselves. Here are what some CSULB students and professors do to cope with those internal struggles.

STUDENTS: Pray.

Journaling is a great habit that helps me interrupt negative thought patterns and put my emotions into perspective. By doing this, I can better notice what the root of this feeling may be. From past experience, I usually find that when I’m feeling lost, it comes together with feeling detached from my sense of purpose and/or feeling disconnected with those around me.

- Juanita Lucia, Business Administration ‘24

-Christian

George, Film and Electronic Arts ‘23

When I feel lost, I tend to create video journals that are only meant for me to see. I pour everything out in these recordings. When I replay them, it helps me uncover false beliefs. Also, when I visually see myself in a stressful state, it helps me build self-empathy. I get to understand that my feelings are important and that I deserve to feel better.

- Priscilla Bueno, Interior Architecture ‘23

“ When going through the emotions of being lost, I would personally think positively of the situation. However, if all goes wrong, there is nothing wrong with giving out a big cry. You are not by yourself, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with reaching out to people.

- Tammy Bui, Healthcare Administration

PROFESSORS:

I stop and assess where I’m at. I may spend some time trying to process my thoughts, with no TV, no radio, no music. I know for certain that I always feel better when I move. If I can, I will dance or play capoeira or surf or get airborne at the gymnastics gym. If I don’t have time for all that, I go on a walk. If I don’t have time for a walk, then I stand and stretch or roll around on the floor until gravity doesn’t feel so vicious anymore.

“

When I feel lost, I employ the tools that I’ve learned over the years — things like exercise; calling friends, loved ones and mentors; breath work; and meditation.

I question the things I am doing. If they don’t bring me purpose, and there is uncertainty and things are out of my control, I don’t do them anymore. I simply walk away and find purpose in other things that align with my future goals.

Healthy habits, on all levels of my existence! Although I don’t exercise as much as I should, I do eat super clean. During my undergrad, I read a book related to how the hormonal system dictates our lives; since then, I realized that food is my medicine.

I cook for the people I love. I call my friends. I work out. I listen to music... I linger a little longer over my morning coffee and make a list of everything I need to do. Then, I divide that list into the Eisenhower matrix — and decide what’s urgent and important, what’s important but not urgent, what’s urgent but not important and what’s not important and not urgent… When I’m lost, I remember that I have gotten through 100% of my worst days.