top of page
Writer's pictureMaggie Fischer

Keep on Keeping On: Self-Care During a Pandemic - Sam Montgomery

College has been a bit of an adjustment, to say the least.

In the wake of a pandemic we were expected to tackle this huge next chapter with neither the confidence our peers in the past did or the assurance that it would be normal.

Needless to say, it’s been a lot.

For me specifically, this year has included turmoil and self doubt, but has ultimately shown me the power of myself. The willpower that I can muster when I need to make it through and the ability to not rely on other people for emotional support I can get from myself.

Some days it’s even hard to get out of bed. Some days I lay there, unable to move or do anything, and lament the fact that I can’t seem to make it through for no reason whatsoever. Those are the bad days, the ones where I call home and my mom is concerned and tells me to “get fresh air.”

She’s not wrong, but it seems like such a trivial way to solve problems.

However, on the good days I can handle anything. I currently have three jobs along with attempting to double major: I’m a reporter for the Purdue Exponent, I run all social media for a real estate firm in my hometown and I’m currently doing contract work for the yearbook division of Herff Jones (I was a HUGE yearbook nerd in high school).

I’m also in Purdue Solutions, a consulting firm on campus, where I’ve met some of my best friends and helped assert myself.

And then, of course, there’s KD.

Fitting time for all of these has not been easy but some days I just power through, head to WALC, and blast some country music (I know, I know). Studying with friends also helps, especially when you take extremely embarrassing photos all around WALC. It’s a way to cope.


Even though studying with friends can be distracting, try to have a designated 15 minutes of quiet time every so often so you can get work done and generally be productive. Another tip is to make sure that you fuel yourself! I always say hydrate or die-drate, so make sure whether it’s water or Starbucks or something else that you’re making sure that you have what you need to succeed.


Face masks are also a great way to unwind, I love the ones that LUSH sells and they always make me feel super refreshed, especially right before I go to sleep. Having a night routine is a good way to signal to your body that you’re ready to get rest and function for the week ahead.


I have to say, I really don’t know if I’m handling this year as well as I could, but I’m trying. And isn’t that the most that anyone can ask for at this point? For us to all power through, take what we were given and make the most of it. We are superheroes for surviving a semester with no breaks, Zoom fatigue galore and the constant possibility of the rug being pulled out from under us in the form of getting sent home.

So on the bad days, the tired days, the (mostly Mondays) days when you’re not sure if you can bring yourself to do anything, just know that you being YOU is enough.

And that will never change.



14 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Yorumlar


bottom of page