As the Weather and Time Change, Students Start Feeling Seasonal Depression

By Bianca Salazar
Staff writer
IG: bancasalazar_bts

With the changing of the seasons, students start to prepare for the end-of-year holidays and finals. But underneath all of that, some students feel something far different from excitement and joy.

Some students are plagued with seasonal depression. This change in mood and productivity comes with the temperature change and time change.

Hanston sophomore Emily Burke has felt this sudden change rapidly. She said that the stress of planning what she does next has affected her.

“I’ve definitely felt like this year my seasonal depression has come around sooner than usual,” Burke said. “I also feel like it has been affecting me a lot more than in years past. I think the stress of knowing I have to figure out what I’m doing next is weighing on me, and not being able to go home as much as I did last year also takes its toll on my mental health.”

Students can have a wide range of symptoms. Burke said she feels more on the down side with her depression.

“Most of my symptoms are feeling very run down, not feeling very positive about most things, and not having much energy to want to do anything, which includes doing my schoolwork, hanging out with friends, or going to work,” she said.

Another thing that has affected her is her grades. She said that her grades have declined since her depression kicked in. As she tries to push her feelings away, everything she needs to do feels like a chore.

With her experience, she has learned ways to help her get through this feeling.

“I’ve tried to make myself do some things to take my mind off these thoughts, like reading books or my bible. I also try to go home often, which helps a lot,” Burke said.

She understands how students must feel, so she gives a final word of advice.

Burke said, “Some advice I would give somebody else would be to not let it take over yourself. You’re not the only one who struggles so don’t feel like you’re alone. Find yourself a good support system, whether that is a family member, teacher, friend or coworker, sometimes it’s just good to have someone to talk to about how you’re feeling.”

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