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By: Beth Barr
In this week’s installment of the SHEC Interview Series, we feature Krista Madsen, an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology. Madsen’s dedication to the dissemination of knowledge led to her becoming the department’s first teaching professor, a position she holds with pride along with a firm determination to “ignite lightbulbs” for students.
Madsen believes that her fascination with the human body began in childhood. She doesn’t exactly know why, but speculates that it might have to do with a textbook her parents had at home; Madsen marvelled at the diagrams, and at how all that “stuff” fit inside each person as she peeled back layers of skin, muscle, vasculature and organs. Combine this experience with her natural tendency towards sport and visual learning, and you get a kinesiology professor whose ability to clearly illustrate and demonstrate principles ensures no student gets left behind.
When asked what she loves most about her work, Madsen has a lot to say – what’s not to love about her job? However, she became noticeably excited about the notion of watching students take what she presents, in any of the ways she manages to frame and re-frame concepts, and move on to do exciting things, from furthering advanced research, to landing top positions in emerging fields. She says she “really enjoy[s] the mentorship aspect.” In kinesiology, Madsen teaches from second to fourth year, and strives to challenge students and create opportunities for them to grow. She discovered that while she “appreciate[s] research and uses it all the time,” she “really enjoys the process of knowledge translation,” which is how she makes concepts manageable, useful and meaningful for students.
When asked about her regrets of undergrad, she mentions lack of sleep and poor cooking skills. She highlights the real importance of good sleep habits, and taking “moments of pause” to check in with yourself, even if you feel like you can keep going. Madsen suggests that listening to what your body actually needs (such as a nap) can overrule that adrenaline-filled need to accomplish things, and leave you more refreshed and ready to take on your challenges. She mentions immune function in relation to sleep and food, and reminds us of the viral hot box we live in, especially during exam and midterm seasons.
I wanted to know in what ways students could lead a more balanced lifestyle. She responded that “we always have the chance to start with today,” and went on to explain that while long term goals can be useful, we need to accept that “we are presented with choices in every moment,” and we have to do make small changes within them. If you only focus on the long-term goal, you may feel like you’re failing all the time, which can wear you down.
By focusing on today,” she said, “you can experience many small successes from moment to moment.”
She recommends minimizing any mental or physical barriers to make positive changes, like keeping your exercise gear by your bed, and advises acknowledging your unique personal victories rather than comparing yourself to external standards that can be self-defeating.
A major theme that flowed through our conversation was self-judgement. Madsen doesn’t recommend bogging oneself down with negative perceptions and judgements, and she links this back to the idea that we’re human and sometimes things aren’t right for us. “Just let it go,” she says. In terms of New Years Resolutions, she thinks they can be great; those who need a concrete starting point can begin with something realistic. Those who need less structure can start these habits at any time – but they all benefit from new efforts and goals they undertake.
Finally, Madsen touched on mental health and the mind-body link. She says that “mental health can be a struggle for many people, and physical activity can have a very positive impact when people take a balanced and rewarding approach to exercise.” She encourages students who are struggling – whom she might see in a classroom setting – to seek the help they need without judgement and to remove the barriers they perceive around help and self-help. Madsen is a firm believer in the mind-body link, and advocates care on all levels.
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By: Suzy Flader - SHEC
For the next few weeks, the Student Health Education Centre column will be featuring interviews with McMaster staff and faculty who address and support the health and wellness needs of students. This week we are showcasing Hartley Jafine, who teaches courses in applied drama and arts-based research in both the Bachelor of Health Sciences and Arts and Science programs. His thoughtful and creative pedagogical methods have earned him an MSU Teaching Award in 2011-2012.
SHEC: Tell me a bit about yourself – your background, where you went to school, etc.
Hartley: I was born and raised in Toronto. I did my undergraduate degree at Acadia University, and was planning on becoming an actor. In my fourth year, I was introduced to Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed, which inspired me to get involved with applied drama. I ended up doing my Masters in Applied Drama overseas in London. While there, I started playing around with how applied drama could be related to healthcare, primarily due to past experience. Before I turned nine, I had lost my mother and three grandparents, and so I had spent a lot of time in hospitals.
We tend to think of hospitals as negative spaces that no one ever elects to be in, and so I wondered if applied theatre could be used to make them less scary and frightening. I started thinking – if medicine is a performance, how it is performed? How do patients and doctors perform? How can theatre aid this performance? This got me thinking about healthcare training and the idea that theatre skills are life skills. After my Master’s, I moved to Hamilton and got involved in the BHSc program, where I have been teaching ever since.
SHEC: At SHEC we are dedicated to events and discussions surrounding mental health. How does your work in applied drama fit into this spectrum?
Hartley: In several ways! Firstly, it provides a space for students to play. Nowadays, in our culture, we think of play as a negative word, or one that represents a frivolous waste of time. But play can be serious. The act allows people to have fun and form a community. We can temporarily live in a world without rights or wrongs, and put our feelings into that playful space. Secondly, theatre gives us the tools to critique and challenge our cultural norms and examine alternative ways of being. Thirdly, I have had some students create verbatim theatre pieces, where they turn the stories of people struggling with mental health into a theatre production. These shows were designed to reduce stigma and encourage reflection and dialogue.
SHEC: Tell me about your work with healthcare professionals. How have you found it to be effective?
Hartley: The work that I do with healthcare professionals revolves around skill development (e.g. communication, empathy, etc.) as well as the health of the healer. Traditionally, healthcare workers are trained in a very black-or-white manner, thereby producing a discomfort with ambiguity. But ambiguity is where health often lives. My work brings healthcare professionals or teams together and focuses on skill development and play, thereby getting them to work and interact in new ways. Healthcare workers function in extremely stressful environments, so taking them off the wards to play creatively for an hour can have a major positive impact on their overall wellness.
SHEC: Have you looked at pre-med culture at all, especially the stress associated with it?
Hartley: The pre-med pressure to be perfect often continues into professional programs, and students can use the methods and strategies learned from applied theatre in their undergraduate years to respond to the stressful experiences in future professional/clinical environments. Early exposure to Applied Theatre and play responds to this pre-med culture by offering a space where there are no rights and wrongs, and no requirement to be perfect – this makes it very freeing. In my research, I am hoping to study the long-term implications of teaching applied drama in an undergraduate context.
By: Beth Barr
One of my favourite family stories is how my grandparents met. They, literally, bumped heads over a microscope during undergraduate biology in the 1950s. Their story, although beautiful, is far too romantic and spontaneous for my over-stimulated brain. So I beg the question: where do we meet men and women to date?
It would seem that app developers around the world have leapt to our rescue. Why not put dating where we keep our music, schedules, alarm clocks, games, and light reading? For a generation dependent on cell phones for daily function and comfort, it only makes sense to tie dating into our virtual world. Right in your pocket, people across campus are using apps to “see” multiple people, changing the very nature of the dating game. Hook-up apps aside, the expediency of the dating app world puts hundreds of other people at the mercy of your swiping thumb — people you may have never interacted with otherwise.
It is a beautiful thing – opening your horizons and meeting new people can never be thought of in a negative way. But when we look at the quality of these interactions, what do we find? Quick and easy hook-ups are great; but how do you really get to know someone through a screen? What happened to the face- to-face struggles of dating and conveying who you are in the span of a date? When did our generation decide that the ease of detachedly sitting on the other end of a phone or computer was worth more than making a long-lasting, quality connection?
Let’s address an interesting question: can we, as intelligent young adults, successfully make the transition from a semi-detached virtual connection to an in-person one? How would we go about doing this? Might we chuck our phones out the window and run to the person with whom we’ve been sharing details of our lives? What if that person isn’t who they made themselves out to be? We’ve all heard of “Catfishing” over the Internet— heck, there are entire TV series on this topic.
Can we, as today’s youth, be comfortable and unashamed about using these apps? Most importantly, can we make these connections strong enough to sustain a new generation? Or will the next generation be the product of divorced/separated parents, whose love story is a lie conjured from the embarrassment of meeting on Tinder?
Okay, fine, maybe I am exaggerating in my anti-Tinder tirade. Perhaps these so-called hook-up platforms are nothing more than a silly game people play in their spare time. Maybe Tinder and similar mobile apps could be a platform for love at first sight? A medium that could facilitate the happy relationships and marriages of couples that were just meant to be? I am doubtful, but cannot say for sure. There are some people who dismiss apps like Tinder and other dating sites like OkCupid as not viable options for real relationships and we have all heard online dating horror stories, but maybe, there is a possibility to find love in a hopeless place.
Dating apps have been around for a while but they’ve become increasingly popular on university campuses. Only time will tell whether our generation will be the one of simple, spontaneous love, or just love for things that are overly simple and spontaneous.
By: Teresa Park
Once a year, Canadians come together to commemorate the brave who died and those still fighting for our freedom. But as November passes, poppies are put away, and we move on.
But for some, every day is Remembrance Day. There are those among us who are in invisible pain, living in neither the present nor the past. For many veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, each day brings back the worst moments of their past – often through vivid visions and nightmares.
PTSD is a mental disorder that can manifest after traumatic experiences such as war, sexual violence, and major accidents. People with PTSD often describe feelings of “numbness” and “emptiness.” They might avoid certain activities, public spaces, or socializing with others for fear of triggering past memories. At times, they are unable to feel any positive emotions, and have little or no plans for the future. Depression, alcohol and/or drug abuse, and anxiety disorders are conditions that commonly occur with PTSD.
The Canadian Forces Mental Health Survey of 2013 estimated that 5.3 percent of Canadian war veterans are currently experiencing PTSD, a number that has doubled since 2002. Generally, one in six members of the Canadian military report experiencing symptoms of mental or alcohol-related disorders. In the 1990s, many war veterans suffered in silence, but as soldiers begin speaking up about their psychological wounds, they also start raising awareness.
There are support systems in place for those suffering from the condition, including clinical counseling and Paws Fur Thought, a non-profit organization that provides trained service dogs for veterans with PTSD. Unfortunately, there are still many who go on living in pain, and due to limited resources, there are also those who remain stuck on long wait-lists, unable to receive timely assistance. This past summer, three veterans, Steve Hartwig,
Jason McKenzie, and Scott McFarlane, marched across Canada to raise awareness about military-induced PTSD. The campaign, “Into No Man’s Land” solicited $15,000 for mental health initiatives.
PTSD is not a sign of weakness nor is it an indication of failed resilience or readjustment. Our troops’ battles do not end simply because they are back on Canadian soil. Let us support our veterans as they continue to show bravery and strength every time they reach out for help. Lest we forget.
For more information and ways to help, visit Wounded Warriors. Get involved with McMaster’s very own COPE: A Student Mental Health Initiative to help fight the stigma against mental illnesses.
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Let’s talk about the uterus.
If you don’t have one, don’t think you can skip this article. You probably need it more than those of us who do. We’re about to get real.
Pear-shaped, and usually tucked up past the bladder, uteruses are equipped from day one with fully-stocked ovaries. Once puberty starts, they work day and night to make a special little home for any possible future foetuses. Unfortunately, this diligent work often goes unappreciated. Though they are mega cool baby-carrying superhero muscles, they are also fucking assholes. Because if you decide “hey, you know what, I’m not going to get pregnant this month, actually,” your uterus will throw a temper-tantrum. This is, of course, Shark Week.
Way scarier than Discovery Channel programming, this is what makes the uterus so notoriously dickish. During the period, your uterus straight-up tears itself apart and unceremoniously dumps out blood and mucosal tissue. To the woefully unprepared, the period can be a veritable bane. On average, this carnage happens every 28 days and lasts three to five days.
And expelling blood and guts (about 2.4 tablespoons) is often no walk in the park. Unless your walks in the park involve being punched repeatedly in the lower abdomen or back. But don’t worry, you’re not dying, it’s just your uterus contracting. If it contracts too vigorously, it can cut off blood flow to its own muscle tissue, which is what causes the pain. The only solace you can take is that if you get really bad cramps, it probably means your uterus is super jacked.
Thing is, these cramps don’t necessary just happen during the menstruation itself. Sometime your uterus likes to get a leg up on the work and those cramps can even start a couple days beforehand. Some people also experience some other symptoms around this time, and generally grouped they are called premenstrual syndrome. The hormonal changes around this time may cause a person to get more acne, become bloated, have tender breasts and might experience strange emotional side effects too.
If you’re a total asshole, you might be wondering: does this hormonal change mean a person becomes less rational during PMS? Not at all. It just means they’re less willing to put up with your stupid freaking bullshit. And just so we are transparently clear: during PMS people's hormonal levels are actually higher in testosterone and lower in oestrogen. Not to bust out any binaries here, but you may notice that this more closely resembles the hormone levels of those identified male at birth.
To the woefully unprepared, Shark Week can be a veritable bane, a waking nightmare, an exercise in mortality. But there are things you can do to make things easier, the first and foremost of which is tracking your period. You can do this with a calendar and math, or, you can be a normal human living in the 21st century and use a period-tracking app. The best one I’ve found is Clue. Easy to use, pretty to look at, and gender-neutral, Clue is free and available for both iPhone and Android. Not to mention hella educational. In additional to providing you with a way to track and predict your cycle with ease, the app is also chock-full of information about any and all aspects of your cycle, including the often-mysterious fertility window. Check it out at helloclue.com to help you understand your uterus. Even though it can be a real jerk.
By: Alon Coret
You may have recently heard about the urgent call for blood donations made by Canadian Blood Services (CBS). Well, just so you know, it’s not only blood donations per se that are required by CBS – they are also hoping to add potential matches to their bone marrow and stem cell network. This sub-group within CBS is appropriately known as “One Match,” and it seeks to establish a worldwide database – in partnership with over fifty other national networks – in hopes of increasing the number of potential matches for life-saving stem cell donations and bone marrow transplants.
Just as with blood donations, it is often not a lack of willingness to donate that stops people from signing up; rather, it’s the burden involved in actually making the time for it. And I get it – we are all busy university students. So, to save you the time…the signup has already been arranged for you!
On Oct. 28 (10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.), an event known as “Get Swabbed” will take place in the MUSC Marketplace. Volunteers from both McMaster and CBS will help sign up interested students, and provide further information about eligibility requirements and the overall process of donations. All that’s needed from you is: (1) informed consent to participate (yes, you will be provided with all necessary information), and (2) a quick, five-minute swab to collect cheek tissue samples. Your information would then be recorded in the One Match database. If a patient is found to be compatible with you, One Match will call you up to see whether you would be interested in making a donation (at which point, by the way, you are NOT obligated to proceed should you wish to withdraw consent).
Who is needed? Anyone and everyone could be a match, but 17-35-year-old males are especially needed. Moreover, if you belong to an ethnic minority, there is a good chance One Match is underrepresented by your demographic (and possibly unique genetic markers). Therefore, you are extra encouraged to register in the database.
Why the need for such a large database? Stem cell transplants require a high genetic profile match between donor and recipient, specifically the compatibility of 12 genetic markers known as human leukocyte antigens, or HLA. As a result, one would expect high suitability among family members. Nonetheless, fewer than 30 percent of patients who need stem cell transplants find a compatible donor within their own family, and thus rely on donations from others.
Who needs stem cell transplants? A variety of diseases and disorders are treated with stem cell transplants, including blood-related diseases such as leukemia, aplastic anemia, and inherited immune system and metabolic disorders (e.g. Tay Sachs disease). These conditions are often fatal, and so early detection, successful treatments, and a compatible stem cell or bone marrow transplant are crucial to save the patient’s life.
What’s the actual “donation” procedure like? Stem cell transplant procedures tend to have the reputation of being painful, dangerous, or overly complicated. This is not quite so. Today there are two common methods in use, both involving very minimal risk to the donor.
The first is called “Stimulated peripheral blood stem cell donation,” a non-surgical procedure involving the collection of stem cells over a period of four to five days. Yes, it involves needles (but only a couple). And yes, there are some short-term side effects, including nausea, muscle pain, and redness at the site of injection.
Another method in use is a bone marrow stem cell donation, which is a surgical procedure performed under anesthetics. Special, hollow needles are used to withdraw liquid marrow (~ 1 liter) from the back of the donor’s pelvic bones. This procedure typically lasts about an hour. Although it sounds like a lot to give, both the blood and stem cells from the marrow are naturally replenished within six weeks.
The key take-home messages regarding these procedures are: (1) they are very safe for the donor; and (2) by virtue of being a match, you are by no means obligated to donate and can withdraw from One Match at any time. By registering, however, you put yourself in a sort of lottery where you have the chance to give somebody the best prize of all: their health, their smile, and their life.
I hope to see you there as part of this important initiative!
For more information please visit:
Lavinia Tofan
SHEC
With springtime looming just around the corner, many of you may be getting ready to escape from the frozen landscape we call home to a place with sunnier skies and warm waters. But before you do so, it is important to take all the necessary precautions in protecting your skin. This will not only protect you from uncomfortable sunburn, but also from possible serious consequences later on.
In 2007 it was estimated that 1 in 63 men and 1 in 79 women will develop melanoma in their lifetime. Melanoma is a cancer that is commonly found in individuals aged 15-29. It is one of the seven most frequently occurring cancers in Canada and the rates of melanoma have tripled in the past 30 years and are continuing to grow. Melanoma is the cancer of melanocytes, which are the cells in our bodies responsible for the pigmentation change of our skin when it is exposed to UV radiation. This is a particularly dangerous form of skin cancer because it can spread to the lymph nodes and other areas of the body. Early prevention measures and early detection are important.
One of the most common methods of skin protection from the harmful rays of the sun is the application of sunscreen. When looking for a sunscreen it is important to choose one that is broad spectrum (protects against both UVA and UVB sun rays), is over 30 SPF and is water resistant. Sunscreen must be applied every two hours and after swimming or high amounts of sweating. While it is important to wear sunscreen at all times, there are other precautions one can take to protect against the sun. This includes spending as much time as possible in the shade, covering skin with clothing, wearing sunglasses and hats and avoiding the sun during the noon hours when it is the strongest.
Melanoma has high rates of survival if it is discovered early. It is important to be familiar with your body and be on the lookout for any changes. In men, melanoma is commonly found on the head, neck and back whereas in women it is most often found on the back or lower legs. That being said, melanoma can be found anywhere on the body. When checking your body it is important to keep in mind the ABCDE’s of melanoma.
A for Asymmetry – One side of the mole is different from the other
B for Border – The border of the mole may be uneven
C for Colour – The mole may not be a uniform colour; it is commonly black but can be white, gray, blue or lacking colour
D for Diameter – The mole is bigger than 6mm
E for Evolution – The most important, checking previous moles for changes and be aware of new moles.
In our society, having suntanned skin has been linked to beauty. In reality, suntanned skin is considered to be damaged skin. It is wonderful to enjoy the sun and it also has benefits for us, but it is important to always be safe. One blistering sunburn can double your chances for developing melanoma. Take this into consideration in your everyday life during all seasons.
Nima Nahiddi
Student Health Education Centre
The moment I realized that there was a problem with the idea of “fitspiration” was when I stumbled onto the amusing Buzzfeed article “13 Epic Moments of Drinkspiration”. Fitspiration, a combination of the words fit and inspiration, is a term used on Internet blogs and social media to create a community in which one strives for a fit lifestyle. It is theoretically supposed to be a healthier alternative to the idea of ‘thinspiration’ – working out to become thinner – as it embraces images of toned and bulked up men and women.
Although I had heard about the hashtag fitspiration - or ‘fitspo’ - I never recognized the harm it could do to one’s idea of a healthy body image. The Buzzfeed article, initially hilarious, started to slowly freak me out. It combines quotes often attributed to ‘fitspiration’ images with pictures of binge drinking. And the hybrid pictures eerily make complete sense. For example, “obsessed is a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated” could relate as much to alcoholism as it could to a person running that extra mile. The most shocking for me was “CRAWLING is acceptable. PUKING is acceptable. TEARS are acceptable. PAIN is acceptable. QUITTING is UNACCEPTABLE”. Personally, if I saw someone with any one of these symptoms at the Pulse I would take them straight to the Student Wellness Centre.
Although the idea behind fitspo can sound inspirational, it continues to perpetuate unhealthy philosophies related to one’s health and fitness. According to the National Eating Disorder Information Centre, 27 percent of Ontario girls 12-18 years old were reported as being engaged in severely problematic food and weight behaviour. Moreover, Health Canada found that almost 50 percent of girls and almost 20 percent of boys in grade 10 either were on a diet or wanted to lose weight. These images, which are supposed to inspire us, only aggravate the unrealistic body image that is portrayed in the media and which we have come to think of as the norm for beauty. Moreover, by promoting the idea that “quitting is unacceptable,” these images reinforce the idea that anything should be done to achieve this type of toned body. Going to such extremes is often characteristic of many eating disorders and fitness addicts, where your mind is telling you that you must be committed, and that taking drastic measures is acceptable.
The idea of “fitspiration” is further problematic as many of the individuals in these posters are not only muscular but also thin. It is incredibly difficult for anyone, especially women, to bulk up or become toned without putting on additional weight. Our bodies need more calories, protein, and fat in order to actually build muscle. Furthermore, striving to have such a body is often extremely unrealistic.
The media, especially so-called “Health” magazines, perpetuates the idea that these types of goals are attainable. If you’ve ever seen the cover of Men’s Health Magazine, you’ll know that you could apparently have a set of 12-pack abs in no time at all. What they leave out when they include the “Henry Cavill Superman Workout” is that the actor was paid for several months to solely workout in preparation for his role. The studios gave him their own special food, a personal trainer to workout with twice a day, and a nutritionist. And even with all that support, Henry Cavill said it was a horrible routine, and that he was glad to be rid of the experience.
I am not bothered with the idea of being inspired in life to be fit and healthy. The problem is that these images misuse and thus create a new, unhealthy definition of fit. Having a toned, muscular or thin body does not necessarily indicate health. You could actually be overworking your body and causing serious damage to yourself. Pain is the body’s way of telling you something is wrong, not its way of encouraging perseverance. “Puking” is never acceptable when working out. I think it’s time for society to redefine the way we see healthy. We should stop creating unhealthy and unrealistic connotations for words like fit, thin, toned and muscular.
You’re in university. You’re brand new, you’ve been here a while (because let’s be real—every undergraduate year is the equivalent of at least five regular years) or you’re about to leave. But whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever point you’re at – you’ve got to make a decision. And the question remains: to commit or not to commit?
Because even though you’re in university and are on your way to becoming an adult, basically everyday is prefaced with a question mark. And, well, you’re in university (and while I think I’ve established this fact, it’s well worth repeating). So, somehow you have to try to find an answer to your daily question while also keeping up with a mountain of schoolwork and juggling your social life, your sleep schedule, and any job commitments you might have. Opportunity abounds – all that’s left is for you to determine whether or not it’s worth taking it.
As someone who has often been accused of over-committing, I present to you, in no particular order, some of my own considerations on deciding whether or not to make a commitment:
1. Do you have the time?
Now, this may seem really obvious, but you’ve got to look at your own work habits and priorities. Maybe your schedule isn’t that full, but the only thing that gets you through the week is every Thursday night out at Snooty’s with your roommates, and that’s when the commitment takes place. Or maybe you only get things done when your schedule is already full, and so adding one more thing will actually make you more productive.
2. Are you passionate about it?
For some people, this is pretty much the only truly important consideration. For others, if it doesn’t add to their resume, then it’s not high priority. Neither of these ways of thinking can be called wrong, but in my experience, I tend to do a way better job if I actually personally care about the work involved. And this doesn’t mean I find every part of the job meaningful, but it does mean that I find the ultimate point of the endeavour worthwhile.
3. Do you need it?
Have you answered your aforementioned daily question? Do you have at least a general idea of the direction you’re headed in? It could be that you don’t have any clue, in which case it might be a good idea to join something that is potentially “unnecessary.” Or maybe it’s your last couple of years, and you know exactly where you want to be once you graduate, and so you have to make a judgment call based on the state of your resume.
4. What do you hope to gain from it?
Do your expectations align with the reality of the commitment? Have you envisioned yourself accomplishing goals that may not be so feasible outside of your imagination? Is there a lot of grunt work involved? Or maybe it’s a huge commitment – one that can detract from another commitment. You need to decide the potential worth, and this can involve some research and realistic thinking on your part.
5. Is it a long-term role?
Some commitments explicitly require that you take on a contract of more than just one school year. This is especially true with research, or if you’re working with a sensitive group that requires stability and consistency in terms of your presence. So, you’ll have to schedule your future accordingly. It can also be implicit – for example, you might take on a smaller role and envision yourself as the president of the club by the time you’ve reached your fourth year. If this is the case, it’s not only important to adjust your commitments, but to also to into consideration: why do you consider this role to be so important? If you’re uncertain about where you want to be in the next few years, this might be a great indication.
6. Check where the commitment falls on your hierarchy of values.
Sometimes commitments aren’t about leadership roles or your future. They can be about relationships – like planning a date night with your significant other once a week, or calling your grandmother every few days. Or it can be more personal, like actually making it to the gym and identifying the point in the day that you are most likely to actually go. This last sort of commitment is often the hardest kind, because the only person you will let down if you fail to honour the commitment is yourself.
7. Have you recognized that maybe it won’t work out?
Sometimes you have to commit a lot of time and effort to something like an interview or a dense application process, and it’s important to understand that you may not even get the role you’re applying for. In this case, you must evaluate the worth you applying, because not only does the amount of effort you put in determine the quality of your application, but it will also make you consider whether the time you will take up in your application or preparing for your interview will be worthwhile.
Sonya Elongo
SHEC
I have a weird case of cognitive dissonance. On the one hand, I am the poster child of senioritis. All I want is to finish up my undergraduate degree and get on with the rest of my life. On the other hand, I am wholly unready to leave McMaster. While they seem diametrically opposed to one another, these feelings stem from a common source: my impending graduation.
One thing that helped me to make sense of these feelings was to allow myself to feel and be scared by them. This was the first step I needed to take in order to parse my thoughts and feelings. While this constant reflection helped me to figure out some things, I also felt suffocated by my thoughts. After this, the natural step was to talk through my feelings with other people. This allowed me to gain a new perspective on everything I was feeling. What we experience is so narrow and specific that you can truly learn so much from just exploring your frame-of-mind with other people.
In your final year, there is huge pressure to have already figured out what you want to do with your life. For those who aren’t quite there yet, it can be incredibly scary and overwhelming. There also exist the ever looming “what ifs.” What if you don’t get in? What if what you thought you wanted to do is not actually for you? What if you won’t make enough to have a stable future? This then leads into the conflict between doing something practical and secure while also fulfilling your passions. While the two aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive, it can be a fine line to toe.
When you have a case of the Novembers, have thesis work piling up, and have applications up to your ears, worrying about what happens after graduation can be overwhelming. Taking care of your mental health is key and can help you sort out your feelings. There are several venues available where you can talk through your feelings, varying from peer-based to more professional services.
SHEC provides a variety of resources including confidential peer support. This service is available every Monday to Friday during daytime hours in MUSC 202. If you are seeking help after hours or on the weekend, the MSU Peer Support Line is a great resource. This phone line is staffed by McMaster students and is confidential. The volunteers at SHEC and PSL are trained to be knowledgeable about a wide variety of issues and will provide emotional support, information and referrals.
If peer support is not up your alley, professional counselling may be better suited to help explore your problems. The Student Wellness Centre (SWC) at McMaster offers a professional counselling service. Unfortunately wait times for an appointment with a counsellor at the SWC can be very long, especially during stress-intense times of the school year. One easily accessible alternative to the SWC is Good2Talk. Aiming to provide “free, professional and anonymous support for students in Ontario”, Good2Talk is a bilingual phone line run by the provincial government specifically for post-secondary students. This service is available 365/24/7 and provides local referrals in addition to counselling.
One way of taking care of your mental health that doesn’t necessarily include talking out your feelings with someone, is practicing self-care. While this is easier said than done, eating properly, sleeping a sufficient amount, and exercise can make a huge difference in how you feel. Self-reflection through writing in a journal, practicing meditation and creating art can all contribute to a better understanding of what is going on in your life. Remember that this is a scary and tumultuous period of time and that taking the time to be gentle with yourself is worth it.
