“Normal” Response to “Abnormal” Circumstances: Helping Students Thrive Post-pandemic

In the wake of the global pandemic, university and college students experienced disruptions in learning, financial hardship, health-related stress, loss and grief, and the constant surge of uncertainty surrounding lockdown measures, health protocols, and academic expectations. As we return to pre-pandemic academic life, students continue to face significant academic and mental health challenges. As educators we need to be mindful of over-pathologizing students for their “normal” response to very “abnormal” circumstances brought on by the pandemic and at the same time validate their feelings of distress. This may require a shift in how we, as faculty, evaluate, teach, and mentor students within and outside the classroom. The integration of academic skill development into the curriculum, the universal provision of strategies that promote psychological flexibility, and increased student access to faculty mentorship have the potential to build resilience among our students and help them be successful.