As ice and snow keep campus remote and most people indoors, students are taking extra steps toward mental health and keeping busy this week.
Junior Eliza Copes sees the snow as the perfect self-care opportunity.
“The snow is giving me a chance to slow down,” explains Copes. “I have taken a lot of warm showers and been practicing a lot of meditation.”
For her, perspective is everything.
“I have spent a lot of time crocheting,” Copes adds. “I am working on a blanket for me and (fiancee) Jackson’s (Goodknight) first house.”
Sophomore Madison Cox has been taking a slightly different approach to navigating the isolation of inclement weather.
“I am currently playing my instruments,” says Cox. “It helps calms my thoughts. It’s very soothing for me. I have also had lots of free time to work on schoolwork and get ahead!”
Facing a busy semester, Cox is more than grateful for the chance to press pause.
While the chance to get ahead on schoolwork has been an appeal for many, the chance to take a break from the hustle and bustle of college life has been one, too.
Sophomore Dylan Ratliffe, however, has been keeping busier than ever.
As a volunteer firefighter in the area, Ratliffe has been out to serve, one stuck vehicle at a time.
“I’ve been sleeping at the firehouse,” reports Ratliffe. “It’s keeping me busy and out of trouble by helping others get out of trouble.”
Senior Gabriel Alvarez has also taken an untraditional approach to coping with the current climate. His strategy? Leave it.
“I am currently in Florida,” notes Alvarez. “If I was in Virginia, I would probably get entertained by playing videogames, reading, and maybe doing stuff inside with my teammates. I am visiting family, mostly. My sister lives down here and my parents were visiting, coincidentally. I am also reading and playing videogames.”
For those at home, reading, Bible studies, journaling, baking, arts, and even getting outside have been popping up on students’ social media posts all weekend, embracing the weather.
As campus has been running remotely, Student Health and Title IX Coordinator Kamrin Mitchell has taken her work home, where she, too, has been taking time to take care of herself.
“We all have different things that we like to do for our mental health and in our down time,” she begins. “Me personally, I like to watch trilogies or long movies. Since it is snowing, I have had on the Lord of the Rings extended trilogy and the Harry Potter movies while working from home Monday through Wednesday. It’s going to be a really exciting time for me as well because I am here with my children, so it is a lot of fun running around and enjoying the peace of the snow as well as the chaotic environment inside.”
Although the weather is keeping student, faculty, and staff apart, Mitchell hopes to foster a sense of connection virtually through Hobby Happy Hour.
The event, which will be tomorrow from 6-7 p.m., will serve as a creative corner where attendees can work on and share their current projects and activities with others apart from campus.
“I thought that it was really important to offer something virtually since we are not on campus and all together,” explains Mitchell. “I figured that if people joined, it would be a good idea to showcase sort of what we are working on and sort of getting to meet people as well that you may not meet at an in-person event.”
Mitchell hopes that Hobby Happy Hour will be a hit, as she sees the virtual event as an opportunity to socialize, share, and meet new people.
“I look forward to see what everyone is doing! There are so many talented individuals and sometimes we are just a little nervous to showcase our talents. So, I think this would be a cool and comfortable place to do so!”
People interested in attending the Hobby Happy Hour Zoom event can do so at: https://zoom.us/j/98972906958?pwd=JSnMz0dayVUiNvS4YWytZReC58s22C.1.
