The corona crisis is affecting everyone at the university. Most buildings are closed, exams have been cancelled and the start of the summer semester has been postponed. In this interview, Wilfried Schumann, Head of the university's Psychological Counselling Service, explains what this means for students in particular - and how we can deal with the crisis.
Mr Schumann, what specific consequences do you think the situation has for students?
A very special situation has arisen for students: Deadlines such as exams or submission deadlines that they have been working towards have been cancelled. For some, who were previously under massive stress, this actually means relaxation. They may enjoy the fact that the time pressure is gone. For others, however, the situation means something completely different: they lose motivation as the goal they were working towards is no longer recognisable. Working towards something also ties up energy. And perhaps the students had something planned afterwards that they wanted to reward themselves with. That no longer exists. Many ask themselves: How do I deal with this situation? Is it worth preparing if you don't even know when the exam is coming?
In other words, the difficult thing is actually the uncertainty...
Yes, having to deal with such a high level of uncertainty is unprecedented for today's generation of students, but also for us older ones. It's a shock. But we humans like to have control, strive for security and want to plan. But in this situation, what makes us human, namely wanting to shape things, is initially cancelled out. It's about accepting this, with all the feelings that come with it - anger, frustration, powerlessness, fear or panic - depending on how you are wired. We have to find a way to deal with the situation and not beat ourselves up over the fact that we can't change it. It's important to keep focussing our awareness on the here and now and not constantly move into worst-case scenarios.
How can students motivate themselves practically in this situation?
Continuing to do something for your studies now can stabilise you psychologically, because you retain a sense of normality and can make a difference with your actions. In the current situation, we advise you to intensify what is generally recommended during your studies: create a good structure and organise yourself wisely. You are now more challenged to tackle things on your own initiative. After all, the things that usually shape your day, such as organised university life or contact with fellow students on campus, are missing. That's why it's good to impose your own structure so that your days don't become a mishmash. For example, setting working hours, having wake-up rituals to get the day off to a good start and getting some exercise. Our minds are more alert and efficient when we challenge ourselves physically.
Many people now spend a lot of time in close quarters - be it with their partner, flatmates or family. How can we prevent conflicts here?
It's important to find ways to ensure a reasonably functional coexistence. This includes, for example, giving yourself space so that you don't develop cabin fever. If it gets too crowded, you can go outside and clear your head again. It also makes sense to come to agreements with the people you live with. You should communicate with each other as well as possible and state your own needs in order to see what everyone needs and to get through this time well. What rules can you set as a community so that there is room for individual needs? What retreat options are there? In this situation, critical things come at you like under a magnifying glass.
For example, if you already have problems with cleaning in the shared flat...
Then these can become even more acute. You shouldn't wait until the child has fallen into the well, but address and discuss problems proactively. The best possible communication means not only making your own point of view clear, but also recognising the point of view of others and putting yourself in their shoes. It's about recognising potential for conflict and thinking about it: How can we defuse it? But the situation also offers the opportunity to come together more intensively, to strengthen our sense of togetherness and, for example, to consider what we can do together. This ranges from neighbourly help to projects that you wouldn't otherwise have time for. We humans have the talent of not just being victims of circumstances in difficult situations, but also finding new ways of organising ourselves.
What about those who are alone in this situation - for example, if they are in quarantine?
For people who are alone, this difficult situation is an enormous challenge. Because in times of uncertainty, the best antidote is to have as much contact as possible. If we abandon ourselves to our own fantasies, we can easily get caught up in thought spirals. The best way to counteract this is through social contact, because being close to others is reassuring. If this is not possible, as is perhaps the case now, then we advise you to think about it: How can I network even under these conditions? How can I fulfil the fundamental need for human interaction via other means of communication, telephone or internet, even if I am physically alone? And you can ask yourself: Who can I fall back on? Many people have the idea that they don't want to be a burden to anyone and so build up barriers that aren't necessary. Instead, you should pluck up the courage to approach others and express your need for contact. There is a good chance of receiving a positive response here, because it is becoming clear that we are all in the same boat.
What other concerns do the students who turn to you have?
Many students are not necessarily worried about their own health, but rather about their relatives. And for many, it's about financial hardship and the question of what to do next. What used to be a matter of course is no longer the case. The longer the crisis lasts and the more people realise that certainties are disappearing, the more these existential questions will be raised among students. The most important advice we can give here is to share these things with fellow students or family. Talking is gaining.
What does your counselling look like under these special circumstances?
For us, too, the current situation means communicating in a new way. Face-to-face counselling is no longer possible. We provide advice by phone, email and sometimes also by video. This has the advantage that we can also make an offer to students who are not in Oldenburg or who can't get out. The first impression is that you can also work very fruitfully in this way. And you can also do the whole thing while going for a walk. "Walk & Talk" - walking through nature is sometimes more creative than at home in your flat!
Interview: Constanze Böttcher
