Duck Syndrome 2.0
Stress in college is normalized. If anything, stress is almost encouraged. Students need to be able to demonstrate that they can function in a high-pressure environment. But what happens if that physical environment is temporarily replaced? What happens if you relocate the high-stakes coursework into your childhood home environment? My guess is perfect scenario for duck syndrome on display.
Not familiar with “duck syndrome?” It’s not an actual mental health diagnosis. It’s a very real thing for college students though. Especially for those who find themselves struggling in one area in their life. If you can picture a duck gliding across a pond, it may appear nearly effortless. Yet what we don’t see from standing on the banks of that pond, is the amount of effort that duck is peddling to get where it needs to go. On the surface it appears to have everything under control, under water everything could change in a matter of seconds.
Duck syndrome is a very real thing in college, but what happens when you take a ferociously working student and place them back into their childhood home while completing their college coursework? To me, this is the new Duck Syndrome. This is where we see the image of the effortless duck, up close and personal. This is where it’s nearly impossible to be superficial around the anxiety and depression that plagues young adults. When it’s happening right there in the home it’s nearly impossible to mask the effort taking place underwater. In fact, what’s happening underwater is completely exposed. There is no hiding the chaos and stress.
Now that our college students are studying from home, it’s important for parents to help them slow down. It’s important to separate the need to present a fallacy that all-is-well, when it’s not. Parents need to be attuned to their young adults and normalize that it’s okay to not be okay. While your student is studying under your roof, help them to manage their anxiety and depression. Help them to fully grasp that the idea of perfectionism is unrealistic, and more importantly unhealthy. Help them to become more self-aware, self-advocate, and know that getting mediocre grades will build character. Shine a light on the fierce paddling under the surface of the water, and help your young adult learn to slow down.
For questions or comments contact Joanna.
