By Christian Schloemer
Contributor
With the majority of students voting in their first presidential election this November, the conversation and discourse surrounding the world of politics can be a lot to handle.
The presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris has sparked an intense nationwide debate, which has trickled down to the university.
One student who has been very much in tune with the election is political science major Christopher Sheehy, a senior, who says he constantly follows the news surrounding politics.
Christopher Sheehy in the Adanti Student Center on Oct. 21,.
Sheehy does not let the election affect his mental health, despite admitting it very much could.
“I just can’t see the argument for one of the candidates,” Sheehy said. “If I focus on that, I get a little frustrated and angry, but I like to focus on the candidate I’m supporting and being positive about that. And I think that benefits my mental health.”
Sheehy also mentions that one of his best friends is voting for the opposite party as him, but he admits they have more in common than their differences in politics.
“There are people who have different views than me, but I don’t believe that two people running for president of the United States who would never even know our names should determine our relationship,” Sheehy said.
Sheehy is in the minority, as according to an online survey of 1,491 college students in July of 2024 by TimelyCare, a higher education virtual health and well-being provider, 65% of surveyed students are stressed or anxious about the election.
The survey also found that 52% find engaging in political discourse has negatively affected their mental health.
One student who has had some intense conversations over politics is psychology major Pierce Kozlowski, a junior, who agrees the election can be a hot topic with friends.
“People who will exchange ‘I love yous’ will be very vehement against each other if there’s a moment of passion,” Kozlowski said.
Kozlowski also admits he would lose friends, most of whom he really cared about, over arguments surrounding politics.
“I think since then I’ve kind of learned to meet people where they’re at,” Kozlowski said. “You have to love people for who they are. You have to kind of just meet them at their level.”
Another student who agrees discussing politics can be a tough subject for some people is political science major Will Moroz, a sophomore, who himself has no problem sharing his political opinion.
“I’ve noticed that talking to people about politics can be really difficult because some people are really afraid to say who they support,” Moroz said, “and I think that’s a problem.”
Like Kozlowski, Moroz has also had disagreements over politics but makes sure he handles it in a calm manner.
“I think the best way to go about it is in an academic mindset, not necessarily an emotional mindset,” Moroz said, “understanding that there are people who are going to view differently than you. Just figuring out how to navigate that conversation is very important.”
