Times of global instability can be difficult for students. Maybe your home country or region is affected by war, conflict, natural disaster, or other global events. Or maybe you have friends who are from, or who have family, in affected areas. Whether you are directly affected, or watching from afar, it is normal to feel overwhelmed. You might feel a mix of emotions, such as sadness, worry, or anger, and you might find it hard to focus on your studies. These are normal human reactions.
Understanding Your Feelings. You may experience:
- Worry or fear for family and friends, for your country, culture and community.
- Sadness, even if you are not directly involved.
- Feelings of guilt for being far from home, or feeling unable to help.
- Numbness – not knowing how you feel, or feeling empty and detached.
- Anger or frustration, for example if you feel powerless or if you feel a sense of injustice.
- Difficulty concentrating on university work and everyday tasks.
- Physical symptoms, such as headaches, feeling sick, sleeping problems.
- Stress or exhaustion from constantly following the news, trying to stay in touch with family and friends, trying to keep up with studies.
- Loneliness – missing friends and family, feeling alone if people around you don’t understand or have a different opinion.
- Practical worries about carrying on with your studies, finances, visas, travel arrangements etc.
Looking after your wellbeing:
- Acknowledge your feelings rather than pushing them away.
- Talk to someone about how you feel – is there a friend you trust, or a member of staff? Can you reach out to others with a similar background or experience?
- Spend time with supportive communities, whether cultural, religious, or student groups. It might be tempting to isolate yourself, but it helps to stay connected.
- Set gentle limits on news and social media if you are feeling overwhelmed by information. Taking breaks does not mean you are ignoring what is happening.
- Create routines that help you stay calm, such as walks, rest, or faith practices.
- It’s okay to keep doing things you enjoy, even if it feels strange. It’s okay to find small distractions or moments of laughter to help you carry on.
- Be kind to yourself. There is no right or wrong way to feel.
- Take a look at the Tips for Managing Grief for more ideas on coping with difficult times.
- Reach out to your college or university for further information and support.