![I want to become a polar bear... I just want to hibernate.](https://library.bc.edu/answerwall/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/012219-4-298x300.jpg)
Sounds like a cozy plan to me. I do a variation on that during breaks and it’s very relaxing.
Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
Affirmations are good wherever they come from. It’s powerful to create your own affirmations, but sometimes folks are so down that affirmations from outside help to jump-start the supply from within. And sometimes it’s just nice to know and hear that others think well of you.
It’s terrible that your fear in such situations is warranted. I’m sorry you’ve experienced that. I don’t know if it’s foolproof, but attending parties with friends who have your back, and with whom you’ve made plans beforehand to avoid dangerous situations, could reduce the risks. Arrive & depart with the group. When it’s clear you’re with a supportive group, danger is less likely.
If I ate, I think I’d be drawn to the fries and those chocolate chip cookies the size of your head in the dining halls, but there are healthier choices available, like the soups and salad bar at Lower. You might want to make an appointment with the Office of Health Promotion (bit.ly/BC-health-promo); they can set you up with an Individual Health Plan (iHP) to eat healthier.
It sounds like you’re frustrated with a long wait, and have heard from other students who are as well. It’s good of you to commiserate with them; everyone needs an understanding ear. My assistants have communicated your frustrations to Student Affairs; when they respond, I’ll post it here. I hope you get the help you seek in spite of a long wait.
Student Affairs responds:
While UCS is staffed at levels at least equal to most of our peer institutions, and is always available to students in crisis that day, there is still the reality that students seeking ongoing longer term therapy may have to wait up to a couple of weeks for an appointment. We are piloting a new initiative offering same day consultation appointments for students seeking to address an identified problem in a rapid access fashion. We hope that this will help more accurately and quickly meet student mental health needs. We are always interested in feedback of all sorts, and strive to improve our service to the BC community.
Thanks so much for thinking of us! The doggos (no kitties) that visit us are all certified therapy dogs, which means they’ve been through a vetting process that reduces the risk of biting or other injuries. The certifying organizations also provide training for the dogs’ human companions, and help with scheduling & arranging. I’m sad to say BC policies force us to pass, but I hope you work out a way to connect your canines & felines with humans in need!
In order to deal with them, you need to know them. Here’s a list of emotional vocabulary: bit.ly/emotional-vocab. You can get to know them gradually by using them every day in short check-ins. (How am I feeling? <checks list>. Hmm, serene, with a little distraction.) There are apps that help build emotional awareness, too, like Pacifica or WellTrack. If the negative ones too often outweigh the positive, talking to a professional about strategies is also a good option: bit.ly/BC-counseling.
Repetition. Simplicity. Incremental rewards (and slow in coming; it takes a while to get to the point where you can hire grandmas to do the work for you). And who doesn’t like cookies? And grandmas? (You aren’t one of those players who would sell grandma, are you?!) Of course, if playing impairs your ability to function, it could be a problem. So much so that Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is being studied; go to the database PsycInfo and search for articles for more info.
I hope you’re talking about keys & ID’s, not friends! If you’ve lost someone close to you, I’m so sorry. You have my deepest sympathy. If it’s little things, it’s probably just a moment of inattention when you set them down, distracted by more interesting elements of your life. One of my assistants finds it helpful to say the location aloud when they set something down, e.g., “I’m putting my ID on this table.” If you lost something in the library, try the main circulation desk on the 3rd floor; that’s where lost items can be found.
The best plan is to not sit for too long at one time. Get up and stretch and walk around at least every hour. And make sure you strengthen and stretch the muscles that get out of balance from too much sitting. The trainers at the Plex can probably help set up a program. But enough preventive solutions; you need immediate solutions, right? Try one of these if you’ve stiffened up. When you stand up, first do a few stretches–a quad stretch, a hip flexor stretch. Or try some bouncing and shaking: stand up (shoulder width stance), starting from the bottom of your feet, gently shake up and down for a minute or so, then make your motions smaller and smaller until you are still again. Good luck with finals!
The appropriate thing to do would be to contact campus police and leave the area. You can also inform a library staff member, and they will call campus police. As to the post-it response, that’s quite common, and nothing to be embarrassed about.
Well, no wonder with all the work you’ve been doing. Each person is different, but there are a few things you can try to alleviate the hurt. Make sure you’re well nourished. Get up and walk around at least once an hour, or stare into the distance for about five minutes each hour. Go visit the therapy dogs. If you’re totally non-productive, you might need a longer break and some sleep and/or exercise. I’m sure you’re getting the picture … do something totally different for a little while and then go back to your writing. All the best; I know you can get through this! <3
IAAWNAD, but lupus is notoriously difficult to diagnose. Try not to lose too much peace of mind on the possibility. (I assume you’re seeing doctors about your symptoms? Please don’t attempt to self-diagnose.) You may find it is something much simpler to treat than lupus. If the DDX is lupus, there are lots of resources to help you – I like the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus, which takes you from the basics all the way through the latest in clinical trials: bit.ly/NLMLupus. And University Counseling (bit.ly/BC-counseling) if you need help processing it. Best wishes for future good health!
Maybe. There are many health benefits to owning a dog, including improved mental and physical health. Therapy dogs can provide similar de-stressing opportunities and the chance to focus on something other than yourself, however briefly. If you’re asking if they can absolve you of sin and cleanse your soul of that weight….it might better to talk to a member of the clergy.
Oh, so sorry to hear that! But you asked why: If you’re going to get a concussion, “unintentional fall” is the likeliest cause, and it’s certainly easy to fall unintentionally while skating. I didn’t find stats on skating college students, but 13% of high schoolers who played sports in 2017 had suffered at least one concussion. (BC only: bit.ly/statista-concussions) So you, if you ask around, you’ll find you have a lot of company.
According to this article in Science Translational Medicine (bit.ly/CoffeeZzz), late night coffee can really throw off your sleep patterns. I understand, sometime you have to stay awake, and coffee is very effective for that, but I wouldn’t do it on a regular basis.