With winter approaching, bringing shorter, colder, and darker days, many students are faced with the obstacle of seasonal affective disorder which interferes with their academic performance.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) also known as seasonal depression, is a specific type of mood disorder. It manifests as a period of depression that predictably recurs each year, typically during the winter months.
Liam Henry, a third-year kinesiology student at the University of Guelph-Humber says that the wintertime disrupts his overall demeanor, and that interferes with his school work.
“I definitely feel a lot more tired since it’s getting darker sooner, and it’s affecting how motivated I am to stay on track with my school work because all I want to do is sleep and do nothing else,” Henry said.
AdmissionSight, a leading college admissions counseling company, identified the impact SAD on academic performance as a critical concern. Their findings indicate that college students grappling with SAD often face significant challenges in maintaining focus and concentration, meeting deadlines, and actively participating in class discussions.
These difficulties stem from the profound physical and emotional effects of SAD, and AdmissionSight recognizes how that intertwines students’ academic abilities.
The National Institute of Health says that SAD can affect how someone feels, thinks, and behaves. They also found that the most common SAD symptoms people feel in the winter time are linked with depression and anxiety which can cause oversleeping, overeating, and social withdrawal.
Serotonin, a crucial brain chemical for mood regulation, is reduced in the wintertime because of the limited sunlight exposure.
Ruth Oudit, a fourth-year justice studies student at the University of Guelph-Humber says SAD does impact her academic studies during the wintertime.
“I procrastinate a lot more during the winter because the weather puts me in a mood that I just don’t want to get any work done, and it makes me less productive than I would normally be,” said Oudit.
Jessica Azzopardi, a working registered psychotherapist, goes in depth on what students may experience if they are struggling with SAD.
“You’re feeling sad and you don’t want to get out of bed. Then you don’t want to go to your classes. Then you are sleeping more often than you probably should be, and even when you do wake up, you’re not exactly feeling refreshed.” Azzopardi continues by revealing the darker layers of SAD “It can go all the way as far as any other depression would, which is like suicidal ideations,” Azzopardi said.
ScienceDirect, the world’s leading source for scientific, technical, and medical research found that SAD can cause psychological distress, causing an individual to feel worthless which can create these suicidal ideation.
Psychological distress stemming from SAD affects students since it may lead to a loss of motivation, and reduced self-confidence, and this makes it more challenging for students to complete their academic tasks.
Azzopardi suggests that colleges and universities can play their part in maintaining student success during the daunting winter months by making simple adjustments.
“Avoid scheduling classes after it gets dark outside, as the brain commonly associates darkness with sleep, which is counterproductive for students who need to stay awake and focused which allows for the best learning to happen,” said Azzopardi.
While students might feel trapped in this seasonal epidemic, it’s important to remember that every tunnel has a light at its end. This holds especially true when tackling the challenges of SAD, where a variety of strategies can help reduce its impact.
Azzopardi says there are many different resources students can rely on if they find themselves struggling with SAD.
“Reach out to someone for support, like a parent, friend, guidance counselor, or explore school mental health resources. Students can also consider purchasing self-help books from Amazon that specifically focus on SAD, or even purchase a sunlight-simulating lamp for seasonal depression. For more serious symptoms, including suicidal thoughts, seek professional help through group therapy, a therapist, or immediate hospital care, they will have the best resources at your fingertips,” said Azzopardi.
Even when SAD clouds academic performance, students can shine through by tapping into the wealth of available support, making the most of even the sunless days.
