Experience and Feelings During A Season Of Challenge—Steven Dennis
Steven Dennis, M.F.A. Associate Professor of Performing Arts
The latest study on increased stress levels among college students has been released. Aspects of the student experience are unique, yet they are hardly alone. The same was found for faculty, staff, and administrators.
Plus, other working people, those who have lost their jobs, the underprivileged and vulnerable, families, and those who ‘home’ alone. A nation and world presently under great duress.
In two of my courses, I asked my students to tell me what it is was like for them.
Isolation, motivation challenges, frustration, feeling blue, missing family members—pets included, missing close fellowship, even feeling guilty about friends now separated from their circle by different residence halls.
“Yes, sometimes it’s hard, but at least I’m on campus,” offered a sophomore.
“How can I complain when I could be living at home right now, with no in-person classes?”
Trouble focusing – and being hard on themselves for not doing their best work.
Feeling bad about it. I admitted to my students that I, too, had been hard on myself in that way.
“Always do your best,” is one component of The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz. We discussed the idea of “your best” not being a constant. It’s a dynamic measurement, one that can shift. Your best can change from year to year. Your best will look different depending upon what circumstances are acting upon you. As it does from month to month, over a given week, or even today.
You’ve still got to do the work, yet if you make an agreement with yourself to always do your best – illuminated by this wisdom – you might succeed more often. Ancient Toltec culture (in what is now Mexico), reminds us that it’s okay to not feel as inspired as you did a year ago. The present moment is a new way of life and it, too, shall pass.
“Allow yourself some grace,” says a director at Howard University Medicine. “Change and modify your expectations. Everyone is not starting… new research, a new diet, or exercise plan during this time. I think that’s what is portrayed a lot, especially on social media.”
Dr. Hairston added: “This country is going through a collective grief.” An important step of just getting through the day is to acknowledge that it’s normal and okay to sometimes be less productive or motivated as you’d like these days. Maybe you are doing your best.
Steven Dennis is an associate professor of theatre.