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We all start the term running fast. We stay on top of classes, hang out with friends, go to the gym, and minimize our procrastination. We feel excited for a new period in our life; being able to get a fresh start at our goals can be very motivating to work hard towards them. The first 2, maybe 3 weeks of the term are often the best because we can stick with all the ambitious goals we’ve set out for ourselves. We sprint -- and moving fast never felt so good.

Returning to campus means a lot of different things. On the hopeful side, it signifies a dying down of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects in Canada. It means possibilities for more social interactions, in-person classes, and in-person extracurriculars. There is much to be excited about. But there’s much to be worried about too. Suddenly interacting with more people than we’ve seen in a very long time, adjusting back to in-person classes, lingering fear and concern about COVID, and more.

One thing that has helped me a lot with my mental health, especially throughout the pandemic, is having creative outlets where I can create things and express myself outside of any school responsibilities or deadlines.

Pandemic Productivity

We’re all struggling to cope in our own ways right now.  My way of coping, which I share here, may not necessarily be the best way for you.  There’s also a good chance that what works best will change over time.

What keeps you on the grind?

I often find myself walking through each day, doing what I need to do, performing the tasks I need to complete, without really thinking about why.

Why am I spending hours studying this again?

Oh yeah that’s right. I have a test next week.

And the grind continues. But I realized that my train of thought was incomplete. In fact, the train's engine hadn’t even started. There exists an infinite expanse of answers as to why I put in effort each day, but a test next week was not the one I was looking for.

I don't know about you, but the title of this post really speaks to my level of engagement this past week. This is also evidenced by the delay in getting this post out. As Wellness Coordinators, Renate and I are certainly not unfamiliar with such impacts as motivation, energy management, cognitive load, and emotional regulation. Interestingly enough, we're also intimately aware of that beautiful phenomenon that can often derail and dissuade any task, action, or activity we have intentions of completing. That's right, friends.

Week 1: The First of Many

Well here we are. The first week of the remote Winter 2020 term! I'm sure last week was a whirlwind for a lot of you (it sure was for me!). There is so much uncertainty about the situation we all find ourselves in, and the ongoing cycle of 'breaking news' hasn't made me feel any better about it either. For those of you