Column: Berkeley College Students Learn to Thrive in "New Normal"
Friday, March 27, 2020
COLUMN: STUDENTS LEARN TO THRIVE IN ‘NEW NORMAL’
DURING PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
“One bright spot has been witnessing the spirit of the Berkeley College student. The same sense of community spirit they demonstrate on campus has been translated refocused on their communities.”
By Sandra Coppola, PhD
Senior Director, Personal Counseling, Berkeley College
As the Senior Director of Berkeley College’s Counseling and Wellness Services department for the past 15 years, the counseling staff and I have walked through many challenging times with our students. We have seen them come to counseling to work on personal relationships, address feelings of anxiety and depression, and set academic goals, all while seeking personal growth and insight.
Life, as we knew it for many of our students, has changed. A few weeks ago, we were all going about our daily routines with a sense of predictability and safety. Life was in motion and we were navigating through our days. Some students were focusing on their final semester of college and were eagerly planning for their upcoming college graduation. Years of dedication and hard work were to culminate with a milestone event – Commencement. Fast forward. Here we are. We all had to stop and pause.
In these uncertain times, so much has been thrown at students. Terms like “social distancing” and “COVID-19” have become part of their lexicon overnight. Overwhelming media coverage has heads spinning, and students are now learning to homeschool children and take online classes. Many are having to transform bedrooms into classrooms and are scrambling for computers and Wi-Fi services to accommodate all the household learners. Logging into classes rather than driving to campus has left some with an overall feeling of disconnection and isolation. For some, school was the only social outlet.
What exactly are students experiencing? Not a sense of doom and gloom, according to Berkeley College students. Students are optimistic and hopeful at a time that is filled with uncertainty. An abrupt change in lives has left many students regrouping and searching for a plan B – for others, a plan C. Many are feeling the loss of freedom but know this will not be forever. They are scared but hopeful.
Students are expressing a need for information and answers. Oftentimes those answers can cause them increased worry and anxiety. Many are feverishly search the internet and watch news updates day and night trying to make sense of their world. The stress of phone alerts and texts from frantic friends and family has them on high alert. Some are having difficulty sleeping. Children are off their sleep schedules. People are on top of one another living in close quarters. Households are in disarray and students are wondering when and how they will get through this. This is new territory for most.
For others, the fear is deeper and the concerns about their health and the health of aging parents are weighing heavy on them. Concerns about rent being paid and food on the table have preoccupied many. Students are asking if they qualify for some sort of governmental relief benefit and wondering how they apply. Panic? Perhaps. But for many, these concerns trigger sobering realities. Thoughts are swirling and heads are spinning.
March was filled with chaos and confusion and thoughts of survival were paramount. Initially, many felt ill-equipped to manage this transition. They were not feeling confident they could swing it all and were feeling overwhelmed. More recently, many have an optimistic perspective on things. Students are still concerned and on edge, but more hopeful and thankful that this is all being done for a good reason. The necessary steps are being taken to protect their families and community from harm. It is all for the greater cause, which is protecting the ones they care about.
We all react differently when propelled into uncertainty. For many, isolation and limited socialization has created mounting anxiety. For others, survival and basic needs are front and center. Many Berkeley College students have recently given birth – others are days from their expected due date. This can is a scary place for them. There are worries and concerns about not only their future, but the futures of their children. Parents are expressing concerns about providing for their families after suddenly being sent home from work indefinitely without a paycheck. A crisis can be a mirror for others. Feelings of pre-existing loneliness have intensified with social isolation. Others feel unsettled about the loss of control over their lives.
One bright spot has been witnessing the spirit of the Berkeley College student. So many are offering to help others in need with shopping, meal preparation, and sharing parenting tips on how to keep children occupied. They have been generous with classmates who are needing assistance navigating online class expectations. They are mindful of the necessity to check in on their friends, families and classmates, while volunteering to take extra shifts at the hospital and giving back to others. The same sense of community spirit they demonstrate on campus has been translated refocused on their communities. The sense of community is strong.
So often we get caught up in our worlds and it takes a defining moment to force us out of our bubbles. These days, we hear that people are so disconnected with technology – our current situation shows that the innate desire for human connection is present and strong. Many are now picking up the phone and calling friends and families. Students are asking counseling staff for daily check-ins for connection, consistency and grounding. A sense of community has been resurrected.
Life continues to go on for us all. Berkeley babies are still being born. New parents are in isolation with their newborn babies. Students are finding creative ways to connect with others, and many are learning the art of spending time alone with themselves. It is time for profound reflection and many seem to be feeling connected in a different, deeper way than before.
A pause and re-set served us well. It’s been difficult but clearly; everyone is trying and we will get through this together. I am so proud of our Berkeley College students.
Learn More: Click here to read Dr. Coppola’s suggestions about coping with fear and anxiety during the coronavirus COVID-19 public health crisis.
About Sandra Coppola, PhD, LPC, LMHC, ACS
Berkeley College Senior Director, Personal Counseling and ADA Coordinator
Sandra Coppola, PhD, Berkeley College Senior Director, Personal Counseling and ADA Coordinator, is a board-certified Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York and a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey, with a strong base of counseling experience working with young adults and adults in a variety of settings. With students, her belief is that the counseling experience is a partnership with the aim to utilize students’ strengths to help them sort out their challenges and achieve their goals. She realizes the importance of identifying all aspects of an individual’s life that impact their well-being, including their physical health, support system of family and friends, work or school environment, and their faith or spirituality in the process.
Dr. Coppola has more than 25 years of counseling experience with expertise in the areas of depression, anxiety, grief and loss, mindfulness and relaxation, substance use and stress reduction. She serves on the Board of Trustees for 4CS of Passaic County, a nonprofit child-care resource and referral organization that administers one of the largest child-care financial subsidy programs in the State of New Jersey.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College has campuses in Midtown Manhattan and White Plains, NY, as well as in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 5,700 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for seven consecutive years. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers.
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