Psychological Development Unit - Understanding Emotions at The End of the Spring Term

Understanding Emotions at The End of the Spring Term

As we live in pandemic conditions, we are getting ready to leave another academic year behind. Within the framework of the rules and requirements brought by this situation, we try to adapt to the decisions taken such as full lockdown. Although we all experience common feelings as part of the OzU family, we know that how much our emotions affect us and the places where they strain us are unique to us.

We have become adapted to this process even though we still feel anxiety about uncertainty and longing for our past life. As time progressed, we started to grow and develop by creating our own life structure rather than focusing on situations that we cannot control.

In the process of development and adaptation, it is natural to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and uneasy from time to time. We can stay together with emotional ups and downs. For example, we feel these fluctuations more intensely during periods of high academic workload, during exam weeks, and when we encounter situations that challenge us. When we are unable to change the situations that cause these kinds of emotions, it is important to relax ourselves by understanding our emotions.

Why Is It Important to Understand Emotions?

We can think of our emotions as a collection of thoughts, feelings, and bodily reactions. Naming what you feel is the starting point to stay in flux with our emotions. Understanding our emotions allows us to be more aware of ourselves. It also guides us to do activities that will be good for us when we don’t feel well. Understanding our emotions is also valuable for processes such as fulfilling academic responsibilities, focusing, and motivation.

What Can You Do to Understand Your Feelings?

Share Your Feelings: Talking to people we love, and trust is important for understanding how we feel.

Pay Attention to Mind & Body Relationship: You can try breathing exercises and yoga for body-mind integrity to be more aware of our body.

Be "Here and Now": By taking time to breathe and act, you can bring your attention to the 'here and now' experiences.

Be "Compassionate" to Yourself: Allow all kinds of emotions, not classifying them as difficult or easy, and try not to burden yourself.

Get Support: You can share your feelings with your teachers and get support from Student Development and Experience Units.

Psychological Development Unit 

If you think that there are situations that are psychologically difficult for you and you cannot deal with them, while completing the Spring Term and adapting to full lockdown, you may consider getting support from our Psychological Development Unit. You can make an intake session appointment from MyOzU and contact us via counseling@ozyegin.edu.tr for your questions.