Student Engagement and Well-being

Coping With Uncertainty

admin — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 16:40:41 +0000

Coping With Uncertainty  admin Wed, 06/04/2025 - 12:40

Being a college student can be an opportunity for deep insight, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and the realization of one’s untapped potential. At times, college can be an intense and demanding journey — rendered more challenging by societal factors beyond the boundaries of campus. National and world events can leave students feeling confused and unsure about the present and the future. This uncertainty can affect academic performance and well-being, and sometimes lead to mental health concerns.

Fortunately, a range of strategies can help individuals be resilient and respond to uncertain times in healthy ways, according to Vidal Annan, senior director of the Center for Mental Health Care and Resources at Georgia Tech.

Sociopolitical stress can be defined as psychological and emotional strain and tension that we may experience in response to political, social, and economic events. Intense feelings and experiences that stem from awareness of and exposure to these events can lead to mental health concerns such as anxiety, anger, and depression.

“The human system is generally able to handle stress by temporarily switching into fight-or-flight mode,” Annan said. “However, when the uncertainty is intense, sustained, or frequent, this can overwhelm the human system and lead to more serious and chronic anxiety, depression, and hopelessness.”

According to a recent study published by the National Institutes of Health, college students reported high levels of stress regarding the most recent U.S. elections. The study also found that higher sociopolitical stress predicted more depression for students.

So, with a constant flood of information and heightened global tensions, how can students cope?

“The best solution to uncertainty is certainty. But sometimes certainty is hard to come by or it may not be in one’s favor,” Annan said. “In those cases, it is important to manage the emotions that we have in response to the uncertainty.”

Annan recommends several techniques that can help students — or anyone — find healthy ways to respond to stressful situations, including:

Manage your exposure to news and social media.

It is important to stay aware and up to date on what is happening in the world, but it is just as vital not to become overwhelmed with news and social media posts. Limit your exposure to these sources of information if needed and try not to get caught up in doom-scrolling.

Engage in self-care activities regularly.

Stress management involves engaging in regular self-care activities. These include regular sleep, eating, hydrating, socializing, enjoying hobbies, exercising, and finding time to reflect on things that matter to you. Stay away from misusing drugs and alcohol and losing yourself in meaningless activities.

Manage your interactions with others (with different viewpoints).

Socializing is a healthy, resilience-building activity, but if it leads to heated conversations that cause stress, try to limit those interactions. Instead, focus on sharing common interests.

If you’d like to improve your capacity to discuss different ideas and beliefs, take the online course called “Perspectives,” developed by the Constructive Dialogue Institute. This asynchronous course is available at no cost to all Georgia Tech students. Email vp_sewb@gatech.edu to receive a link to the course.

Avoid paralysis by analysis.

When we get stressed, the mind may try to “problem-solve” by repeatedly revisiting difficult topics and exploring any and every outcome, especially the negative ones. This overthinking is unhealthy, unhelpful, and only produces more feelings of stress. Instead, try to catch yourself when you are overthinking. Ask yourself, “Is this a topic that I can solve by constantly thinking about it?” If not, take a deep breath and try to refocus on more neutral or engaging topics.

Engage in self-compassion.

Research shows that when, in times of stress, we treat ourselves with kindness and remember that we are human, it can provide relief. Extending grace to oneself — by forgiving mistakes, accepting vulnerability, and recognizing areas for growth — is a form of compassion.

Take proactive and constructive action.

Is there a safe and responsible action you can take to address the issue at hand? In times of uncertainty, it is important to remember that you have a voice. Look to join organizations, engage in positive activism, and increase your knowledge about a topic or issue. Instead of worrying, which generates no results, develop a list of concrete actions you can take; even small steps can be meaningful.

Seek professional support.

Always remember that help is available. If you feel that the stress is affecting your mental health and functioning, reach out to the Center for Mental Health Care and Resources.

“The only constant in life is change, and change can make us feel uncertain,” Annan said. “How we respond to this uncertainty can impact our well-being and functioning. By implementing a variety of effective psychological and practical approaches in our lives, we can reinforce our resilience and stay healthy during difficult times.”

Students can access a variety of on- and off-campus mental health support services, including counseling, peer coaching, wellness coaching, and mindfulness programming.

Students who are experiencing significant mental health difficulties and need immediate support can call the Center for Mental Health Care and Resources at 404.894.2575 or visit Suite 238 in the Smithgall Student Services Building during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). After-hours support is available through the same phone number by selecting the option for the after-hours counselor. In an emergency, call the Georgia Tech Police Department at 404.894.2500 on campus or 911 off campus.

Summary sentence

There are a range of strategies that can help individuals to be resilient and respond to uncertain times in healthy ways.

Summary

Being a college student can be an intense and demanding journey, and this experience can become even more challenging with changes in the larger society. This uncertainty can affect academic performance and well-being and sometimes lead to mental health concerns.

Dateline

Fri, 04/18/2025 - 12:00

Contact

Authors:

Vidal Annan and Luoluo Hong
Student Engagement and Well-Being

Associated importer

Keywords

Center for Mental Health Care and Resources

mental health

uncertainty

Student Engagement and Well-being

News room topics

Campus and Community

Mercury ID

681897

Source updated

Wed, 06/04/2025 - 12:39

Georgia Tech Participates in National Survey of Student Health and Wellness

admin — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:31:55 +0000

Georgia Tech Participates in National Survey of Student Health and Wellness admin Thu, 02/20/2025 - 08:31

Georgia Tech is participating in the 2025 National College Health Assessment (NCHA) of student health and wellness. This nationally recognized survey assists universities in collecting precise data about students’ health habits, behaviors, and perceptions.

All currently enrolled Georgia Tech undergraduates are invited to participate and have received a participation link from NCHA via their Georgia Tech email address. A representative population of graduate students (50%) has also been invited to take the survey. The survey must be taken online and can be completed in approximately 20 to 30 minutes. All survey responses are anonymized upon submission to protect student privacy. The survey will remain open for participation until March 18.

Student perspective and input are critically important to helping Student Engagement and Well-Being promote health and wellness through campus resources. Initiatives like the Cultivate Well-Being Action and Transformation Roadmaps are examples of work undertaken to enhance the institutional attributes that promote health and mitigate the elements of campus culture that may adversely affect student well-being. The results of the 2025 NCHA survey will provide critical data to guide the development of future resources.

Faculty and staff are also vital to the success of well-being initiatives in Georgia Tech classrooms and are asked to share the NCHA survey information with students and encourage them to participate.

Students who have filled out the survey are automatically entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble at Georgia Tech. All students can enter the drawing by filling out this form.

If you would like to learn more about the impact of the NCHA survey on campuses across the country, visit the NCHA website.

Writer(s): Brittany Aiello, Executive Communications, Institute Communications

Ashlie Bowman, Student Engagement Communications, Student Engagement and Well-Being

Summary sentence

Students are invited to share their perspectives via the 2025 survey.

Summary

Georgia Tech is participating in the 2025 National College Health Assessment of student health and wellness. This nationally recognized survey assists universities in collecting precise data about students’ health habits, behaviors, and perceptions.

Dateline

Thu, 02/20/2025 - 12:00

ashlie.bowman@gatech.edu

Contact

Ashlie Bowman, Student Engagement Communications

Keywords

cultivate well-being

Cultivate Well-Being Action and Transformation Roadmaps

Student Engagement and Well-being

News room topics

Campus and Community

Tips for Balanced Snacking

bwaye3 — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 18:10:33 +0000

Tips for Balanced Snacking bwaye3 Thu, 07/07/2022 - 14:10

When the hunger monster strikes and you want a snack, it’s easy to grab a bag of chips or a pack of cookies. But with a little planning, you can satisfy the craving with a healthier option. Danielle Southern, nutritionist in Health Initiatives in the Division of Student Engagement and Well-Being, provides five tips for mindful and balanced snacking.

Stock up on portable non-perishables. A variety of items can be kept in your office or backpack without spoiling.
- Nuts or nut butter, jerky, trail mix, corn tortilla chips, popcorn, graham crackers, and cereal do not require refrigeration.

Consider cold snacks. Having access to a refrigerator or lunch bag with an ice pack increases your snack options.
- Yogurt, cottage cheese, a sandwich or wrap, string cheese, berries, and dips like hummus, salsa, and guacamole stay fresh longer when refrigerated. If you don’t have a place to keep these snacks cool, eat them within two hours to ensure they stay fresh.

Pair a protein or fat with a carbohydrate. This combination balances blood sugars and energy levels, making it easier to focus on projects and participate in other activities throughout the day.
- Examples of these pairings include tortilla chips and guacamole, sliced vegetables and hummus, cheese and crackers, and apples and peanut butter.

If you didn’t bring a snack from home, find grab-and-go options at various campus locations.
- Coffee shops (Blue Donkey, Kaldi’s, and Gold & Bold) typically have fruit, nuts, and protein bars to accompany your beverage. Coffee drinks that are milk-based (cow’s milk or soy milk) can provide the protein/fat/carbohydrate combination.
- The Dive in the Campus Recreation Center has smoothies, fruit cups, hummus, and wraps.
- Rising Roll has avocado toast, smoothies, wraps, and milk-based coffee drinks.

Remember to hydrate. Water is the fluid our bodies need the most, but 100% of your fluid needs do not have to come from plain water.
- High water fruits and vegetables (such as cucumbers, leafy greens, watermelon, grapes, and apples), tea, coffee, milk, sparkling water, and soups all contain fluids. Be mindful of sodium and caffeine levels, as these can lead to more fluid losses when consumed in excess.
- Not a fan of plain water? Try adding fruit slices, flavor drops, or low-sugar drink mixes. You can even experiment with different temperatures of water or use ice cubes made from frozen 100% fruit juice.

“Prepping snacks can take some planning, but it can save you time, money, and energy,” said Southern. “Experiment with different snack combinations to see what works best for you. Your tastes can change over time, and that’s OK.”

Note: If you have questions about nutrition services, email nutrition@gatech.edu for assistance.

Summary sentence

Preparing snacks requires planning, but it can save time, money, and energy.

Dateline

Wed, 06/29/2022 - 12:00

victor.rogers@comm.gatech.edu

Contact

Victor Rogers

Institute Communications

Location

Atlanta, GA

Associated importer

Keywords

health initiatives

Student Engagement and Well-being

Danielle Southern

News room topics

Campus and Community

Health and Medicine

Student Engagement and Well-being

Coping With Uncertainty

Manage your exposure to news and social media.

Engage in self-care activities regularly.

Manage your interactions with others (with different viewpoints).

Avoid paralysis by analysis.

Engage in self-compassion.

Take proactive and constructive action.

Seek professional support.

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Georgia Tech Participates in National Survey of Student Health and Wellness

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