We are students of Loyola, but we are more than that. We are people with stories. We are going out into the world and exploring who we truly are, all while balancing a full load of classes and finding jobs.
If you didn’t read that last sentence, we have a lot on our plates as members of both a college and a community, and not all of us have the coping mechanisms to deal with these and succeed in life. I experience it firsthand on a daily basis. I am constantly on the search for a way to rid myself of the stress; allow me to share.
Little do some students know, we actually have resources at Loyola for those who do not wish to go off campus. Finding a job and balancing life are two arduous tasks, but one destination is the place to be.
In the counseling center, there are resources for finding jobs and building your resume. Also, I would recommend anybody in the world to talk to Roberta Kaskel, director of the Career Development Center. She knows how to hold a very engaging and productive conversation regarding almost any aspect of life. But I would really like to highlight the Counseling Center.
Before you compare counseling to visiting a shrink, let me tell you, I thought the same thing. My advisor completely went outside of her box and took away my complete abhorrence of counseling. She told me that they aren’t like the ones that you visit as a child. Reluctantly, I went. I meet with my counselor occasionally. She listens to my stories about music, love, hopelessness, inadequacy, school, and almost anything you can think of. She is completely impartial, and carries a certain peace about her that is impressive, to say the least. To my struggling peers of this school, please utilize this resource. You will not regret it.
The greatest piece of advice I have ever been given was to “empty the mind, fill the belly.” Thanks to my high school history teacher, I realized an entire new spectrum of coping. For students who carry a faith, there are faith services to help you cope.
Last year, one of my friends told me about a Buddhist temple she went to, where they eat massive amounts of Indian food in fellowship, and immediately break into discovery of who they are with an open mind afterwards. I have been looking for this resource again, because as college kids, this would aid with the issues of stress and needing counseling, where you could counsel yourself through a soulful internal conversation. Also, there is free food. College kids love food.
For those who lack interest in trying something new, there are multiple places to do yoga nearby, a Rite Aid down the street to get vitamins and supplements to aid your body in running smoothly, and acres of land to run in Audubon Park. The possibilities of helping yourself are endless. However, if our stressors overtake us, there are always these fantastic fallback options.
In conclusion, look a little closer for the answer. Find your resources. Chances are, they are nearby. Also, talk to friends. They can help out more than you will ever know. If that fails, I believe they put my e-mail address underneath this article. Get in touch with me to talk and listen. We are all in this together. Getting accustomed to a college life is very difficult, even a year and a half in, so look at your peers differently. Help them through their rough times. Help them cope. It will come back to you someday. Let’s make Loyola the community one that we can all thrive under.
Christopher Sauer is a general studies sophomore. He
can be reached at
In My Opinion is a weekly column open to any Loyola student. Those interested can contact [email protected]
