Damn straight we’re sad

Elina Turbiná Journalist

Pauline Hovland Illustratør

The autumn semester was a trying time for students. The introduction of online and hybrid lectures, and the shift in socialization practices made most of us learn to adapt to a completely different university experience. Constant stress and anxiety about the new restrictions seeped through every event organized by the student organizations. The usual parties at Pentagon were now looked down upon not because of the, and believe me when I say this, utterly horrible electronic music they were playing, but because of the impending danger of infecting everyone. Some of us dealt with this situation by learning how to study from home, while others resorted to spending every day at school (shoutout to all the dead flies on the fourth floor of the Clock Building).

This situation hit first-year students the hardest. Since they didn’t have enough time to socialize and secure their new connections, many students felt alienated from the student community. Spending weeks locked in our rooms, preparing for the exams, eating frozen pepperoni pizza for breakfast. When we don’t have a secure social life in place it is way too easy to isolate ourselves completely. We accidentally find ourselves just carrying our screens from one corner to another.

But it does not have to be that way! Surely, the new restrictions make it very hard to stay on top of your stuff, however, we can still do things to make us feel better when we can’t visit campus or cafes for that sweet socialization. Go on walks in nature frequently. Remind yourself of an old hobby you used to enjoy and pick it back up again. Check up on your pals, arrange watch-parties or dance-parties (Spotify has a “Spotify Session” feature to share what you’re listening to with your friends). If you live with someone - do some fancy cooking or baking together! If you live by yourself - give yourself a gourmet three-course meal. To quote Antoni from Queer Eye: “Food can offer a moment of pure emotional pleasure in an otherwise hard and difficult world”. It doesn’t have to be big. Sometimes it’s doing that 50/10 study-break ratio, sometimes a Shrek movie marathon. If you find harmony between work and play, you’re doing great. Pat yourself on the shoulder. I’m proud of you.

It is completely okay to feel unmotivated or tired, so do not shame yourself for feeling that way. Taking breaks and being vulnerable about your struggles is more important than ever. As always, you can share your concerns with the Student Life coordinator (marit.raaf@sias.no or 64966305), your study coordinators, SiT, student societies, friends, family, or even me. If you don’t feel like talking to your close ones, you can always message me via e-mail (twosketches@gmail.com) or drop a letter in my post box (541). We’ll get through this, I promise <3