One of the more difficult things in college is life getting in the way. Just because you are getting an education does not mean that other areas in your life stop. COVID happened while completing my undergraduate degree. I had numerous physical and mental health problems, and both of my parents died. Though I felt entirely alone, I realized I was not the only person going through this. Other peers of mine dealt with their own losses—breakups, jobs outside of their education, and various other hard things. This article will attempt to give you the resources and advice to continue your education as someone who has been in this situation.

First of all, and arguably most importantly, it is okay to admit defeat at times like these. Difficult things happen to all of us in one way or another. What may seem minor could be huge if it affects you significantly. You do not have to convince yourself that you should easily get through it. Just because your specific tragedy seems less than someone's else situation, you do not have to feel ashamed. You are allowed to feel t his way.

Use Resources Available to You

Because of any tragedy or how you react to something difficult, I always recommend getting outside help, even if you do not feel like it. It is always better to get help and not need it than not to get help and desperately need it. You can do this in a few different ways. First, check with your university about counseling services. Most universities have some free counseling services run by students studying psychology or therapy practices running it. Talking about your stresses with someone else, especially an outsider, can help tremendously. If your university's counseling services are not enough, or if your university does not have any, reach out to your doctor, even if you attend college away from home. Telehealth is a great resource that allows you to talk to a licensed doctor or therapist to further talk about treatments available to you, such as therapy or medication.

Food Insecurity

Another situation I find many college students dealing with is food insecurity. You should not be ashamed to get help. Many college students cannot afford to eat because they pay for many other things, such as housing, tuition, books, gas, transportation, etc. Because of this, I highly recommend looking for local food pantries. A lot of food pantries ask zero questions about your financial situation.

You can find mainly non-perishable food items at a food pantry, though some more updated ones have local fruits and vegetables, and meat. Without food, a student has a hard time succeeding in college due to hunger. Multiple studies indicate that hunger impacts the brain. Please do not be ashamed to reach out to your university or your local area food pantry if you are often hungry.

Physical Health and Disabilities

As you go through college, your body gets older and more prone to health concerns. Because of this, many college students get physically hurt or are diagnosed with a disability. There are resources and solutions for this. For example, you can receive accommodations if you have a disability that interferes with taking a test, like the rest of your peers. Reach out to your school's disability or student success department. They can give you the right resources and accommodations to succeed in your classes. It is entirely okay to ask for extra help in your classes if you need it. If you get physically hurt or ill, contact your professors for extensions on your classwork. You will find that a lot of professors understand your situation. If they are not, then it did not hurt to ask.

If I did not mention your specific situation in this article of resources, there is still help for you. Your best bet is to contact student resources at your university. They are there to help you succeed and will be happy to help you. That is what they are trained for. Everyone needs help at some point in their life. We all rely on each other to get by and get through. There is absolutely no shame in using the resources provided to you and getting the help you deserve and need.