Students experience stress as election results come in

by JESS KIRBY & JOSEPHINE JOHNSON

News Editors

Many UMW students have felt stressed and overwhelmed while keeping up with the 2020 presidential election.

 “It’s definitely taken a toll on my mental health just not knowing, and we’re not going to know for a good while, the extent of what’s going on,” said sophomore economics major Simon Jones. 

Meghan Mclees, a sophomore psychology major, has also experienced election-related stress. 

“I was really anxious about it [on election] night and I didn’t really think I was going to be anxious,” said Mclees. “I stayed up until like 4 a.m. and my dad texted me and he was like ‘Go to sleep.’ and I was like ‘Don’t you think I’m trying?’ I woke up this morning 30 minutes after my alarm… and I was like I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

In order to stay up to date on the results as they come in, students look to a variety of sources. 

“I go on Youtube and… I either watch CNN live or NBC live or I go to nytimes.com. I just like to go to different places,” said Ethan Ropp, a sophomore French major. 

Jones also tries to get his information from multiple sources.

“I’m looking at… the Associated Press, trying to diversify but it’s easy just to look at the election results and that’s the first thing that comes up,” said Jones.

UMW students spoke on the issues most important to them.

“The coronavirus was a big [issue] because one [candidate] thinks it’s going to be over in the time of three months, and the other is going to take precautions to make sure that the numbers do go down,” said Mclees.

When asked what issues were most important to him in this election, Jones said, “Racial inequality, the coronavirus is up there, just general facism.” 

Students have a variety of ways to take care of themselves during these stressful times. 

“Today I’m going to bed super early. My suitemate has melatonin so I’ll be taking that. And then I’m going to a fitness class,” said Mclees.

Ropp finds comfort in spending time with his friend. 

“Last night I was very stressed, so I just took a shower and hung out in my friend’s room just to watch it together. I felt like watching it by myself wasn’t doing me any good. It’s definitely been stressful,” said Ropp.