Mental Health and the Student Body

It goes without saying that this current college experience isn’t the one that anyone was promised or dreamed of all throughout high school.

Most people when they think of college imagine getting together with friends at the dining hall after a long day of classes and then doing something fun in the evening. However, this couldn’t be further from reality. It’s rare to see many students hanging out in the dining hall. It’s rare to see more than four students hanging out together. While given our current circumstances with COVID-19, it’s a completely understandable change; but it’s had an effect on the mental health of the student body. Particularly first-year students.

Many of the first years on campus are feeling lonely and lost due to the stresses of the pandemic. Some introverted students are feeling these effects more intensely than others. First-year Game Design major Isaac Hessel-Robinson said, “I'm excellent at being alone but not at near-total isolation, which Champlain's absolute inability to pair me with a roommate & my own crippling social inabilities have forced me into.”

Though Champlain College has many events going on, attendance seems much lower than normal.

Students have a unique perspective on the experience of trying to pursue an education during the pandemic. One student interviewed by The Burly Beaver contracted Covid-19 during the fall semester. While they asked that their name was not used within this article, they still wanted their voice to be heard about their experience. They mentioned that after they tested positive for the virus, the amount of anxiety they experience went up quite a bit. “Even disregarding covid, my mental health hasn't been great. There's a lot of pressure to create perfect work all the time, and the idea that "the grind never stops" is very prevalent in my major. Even if I have nothing due, I feel guilty taking time for myself.”

The balance between educational goals and mental health has never been more fraught, especially at Champlain, which prides itself on providing students with experiences similar to the workplace.

Another student who asked for anonymity stated, “Despite the college providing resources for students and making an effort to look like they care about mental health, I don't think they actually care enough to make any major changes at a higher level. The lack of a break this semester seems proof of that - while I understand there are multiple reasons for that choice, I feel like now more than ever students need a break from constantly working. There seems to be the idea here that as long as you keep making good work it doesn't matter how you're doing mentally.”

What long-term effect the pandemic will have on student health remains to be seen.

By Harper Bennett

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