Cases of seasonal affective disorder, better known as seasonal depression, in students will rise as autumn comes upon us. Here are some handy suggestions for shaking it off.
Mariya Khan ’26 has an existential crisis in the face of her homework. (Noora Fatima ’26)
The beginning of a new school year is shrouded in a thick air of excitement. However, this fog slowly dissipates as assignments stack up and students fall back into their routines. Within a few weeks, people find themselves sick of the inconveniences that come with school. For some, autumn brings with it feelings of sadness and lack of motivation. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is an affliction that students everywhere combat, and Barstow’s rigorous workload can be a worsening factor.
“We all come in with very fresh energy when the school year first starts,” said Mrs. Guldin, the sophomore coordinator and history teacher. “I think [that] for a lot of students, they want the busyness of participating in sports, classes, or [jobs], and once it all comes together, they get tired.”
When asked whether she notices a change in students’ attitudes towards class as the weeks progress, Mrs. Guldin replied that such a phenomenon is one that she sees often.
The mass of students at Barstow are commendably intelligent, but many still feel overwhelmed by the workload. They feel even more overwhelmed when the thrill of a new year is no longer present. Inaya Gadit ‘26 said that she starts to feel symptoms of seasonal depression as the school year drags on.
“In the summertime, you’re carefree and everything,” Gadit said, “but in school, everything is just bad. [You don’t] have as much free time as you used to have in the summer.”
Mariya Khan ‘26 expressed a similar sentiment to Gadit. She said that she tends to romanticize school when it starts, but she quickly runs out of things to idealize. “It gets boring,” Khan said.
The main cause of SAD is unknown, but it is thought to be linked to a biochemical imbalance found in the brain that is a result of shorter daylight hours. There are a variety of complications that come with the condition, including social withdrawal, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and other mental health disorders. Worsening depression, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, general loss of energy and motivation, and sleeping and eating more are more symptoms thought to be caused by SAD. The list goes on, and thankfully, there are many methods that can be employed to avoid the detrimental effects of SAD.
Ways to stay away from seasonal depression include maintaining a stable sleep schedule, creating a daily routine and sticking to it, and prioritizing emotional and physical well-being. It’s important to keep a generally healthy mindset while balancing the workload brought by school. Take a walk outside or put your phone away for a few hours and take a nap.
When asked, Mrs. Guldin stressed the importance of sleep as a factor in SAD. “I encourage students to have sleep hygiene,” Mrs. Guldin said. “[For example], get off of a screen at a certain time before bed and give yourself time to…do something that takes your mind off things before you sleep. For me, the key is sleep; when you’re getting enough rest, it’s easier to overcome difficulties that come with the season…Eating right and sleeping right both contribute to wellbeing.”
“Don’t stress about school too much. Have little breaks but still [study], and do the things you really enjoy,” Khan said.
With only a few weeks left until the official commencement of the autumn season, seasonal depression will soon begin to make its yearly rounds at Barstow. Thankfully, there are loads of tips and tricks that can be made use of in order to avoid the cheerlessness which can be caused by fall.
