By: Nick Schonken
With the end of the first marking period and school officially being in session, more and more students find anxiety creeping up on them. The implementation of VUSD’s full distance learning is forcing everyone to cope in different ways.
Everyone is affected differently; the lack of social interaction, poorly enforced asynchronous learning and less busy schedule makes many students, including Katelynn Torres (’21), feel as if “I’m not learning properly.”
Gabriel Luna, the VUSD Psychologist, says, “[VUSD has] individuals that have different types of anxiety, brought on through different types of experiences.”
Individuals that dealt with social anxiety no longer have to deal with the in-person interactions of school anymore. They are now being forced to deal with the looming feeling of anxiousness from being on camera.
Additionally, the rolling out of classes such as virtual P.E. has also brought challenges. To get credit, students are required to do exercises in a video call of roughly 30+ students and an instructor. Luna says, “We’re starting to see individuals having a real hard time being on camera and struggling to address the tasks that are being asked of them.”
“A lot of the anxiety comes from not knowing how the year will end for students.”
-Lauren Zachary (’21)
Luna says, “Some students have an easier way because they can go with the flow …a lot of [people] need structure, and boundaries, and limits.” When a student lacks these things, that’s when they began to have anxiety.
When it comes to dealing with anxiety, many students don’t know how to deal with the emotions brought upon them. For Torres, she can’t deal with her anxiety, “Unless I’m out doing something that keeps my mind from thinking.”
According to Luna, dealing with anxiety can be dealt with by, “Something that takes you away from the things that you’re having to be committed to, but also giving yourself a break to allow yourself some patience..” Another way is organizing a Zoom time with your friends and “Just having a conversation. Share a soda on Zoom, or eat your lunch.” It is important to stay connected with others during this time, and to be with your friends virtually can help with your mental health and well being.
Nikki Schonken
Nikki Schonken '23 is a two-year writer for the Redwood Gigantea, a 4-year member of the RHS band, a CSF member, and a photographer.
Contact info: njschonken@gmail.com
Tags: Club and lifestyles, distance learning, mental health, Nick Schonken, online school, Redwood, vusd
