The first time voting in a presidential election has created a source of stress, on top of finals and schoolwork, for many students. For those experiencing anxiety, University organizations created election-related events and resources.
Mason Pack, a senior physics major, said because the election closely coincides with finals season, the stress of following politics and continuing to do schoolwork is only amplified.
“You feel like you’re taking a beating and haven’t gotten a break and the culmination of the semester and the election — it’s a big collision of events," Pack said.
Jack Gartland, a first-year public policy major, said they are concerned about the fate of human and civil rights this election, especially given the longstanding attacks that Black and queer communities face.
“As a queer person in America, really existing in 2020 is kind of dangerous,” Gartland said. “All I want to do is be able to love who I want and construct my gender identity in the way that I want to.”
While Gartland said the local political wins in their district were disappointing, they remain hopeful because of victories from candidates like Cori Bush, the first Black woman to represent Missouri in Congress, and Sarah McBride, the country’s first openly transgender state senator.
Resources available for students
To process election anxiety, campus departments, organizations and commissions held events this week for students to talk about what’s on their minds.
Two of these events, titled "Anxiety and the Election" and "Concerns and Aspirations," were offered on Monday and Wednesday by the Carolina Center for Public Service, Campus Y and the Office of Student Life & Leadership.
