1. Utilize your available resources. Most campuses have a counseling service department that often many students don’t know about. If you’re experiencing or previously experienced a tragedy, know where that department is located, and utilize available counselors on hand who can aid you free of charge. If perhaps your campus doesn’t have a counseling service department, contact your health insurance provider for counselors located near you. For any student who may not have insurance, your local behavioral health department can be of assistance to you. Understand that it’s OK to utilize professional help.
2. Don’t be afraid to express how you feel. Often, students will internalize tragedy. Instead, it’s important to make it known how a tragedy has impacted you so that you will be able to do the best you can to move forward and focus on positive reinforcements like friends and family.
3. Try to maintain a routine and as much structure as possible. Maintaining routines often helps maintain sanity through difficult times. If maintaining a routine is too difficult, do your best to shift your focus toward the positive and recognize that every day is a new day and new opportunity to heal.
