Navigating Uncertainty and Turbulence

April 10, 2026

The past few weeks have been turbulent. Every day when I check the news, I am inundated with headlines that are disheartening, from stories of individuals who are living through war, to people who feel unsafe domestically. While it is definitely a privilege for me to feel overwhelmed by headlines that I am reading from the safety of my apartment, especially while students on GU-Qatar campus and those studying abroad are directly impacted, the current climate of uncertainty and polarization has made me feel heavier the past few weeks. Certainly, on Georgetown’s campus in the heart of politics in the U.S., life is complicated right now, and the daunting nature of the news is inescapable. 

For me, it has been difficult to balance staying informed with my role as a student and my other jobs. Stress from schoolwork and jobs feels trivial in these times, but it is still there, and for me, it feels like it is compounding with broader anxiety about the state of the world. It’s been difficult to focus on work that is not directly related to the current climate, especially because everything that is happening is constantly evolving. Parsing through the noise of headlines, understanding what is happening now, and anticipating what comes next has been exhausting. Finding the necessary motivation to complete my schoolwork and tasks for my jobs feels harder than it usually does. 

That being said, I realize that it’s important to stay informed, especially when things are changing so quickly. What has helped me the most in balancing all of the anxiety and stress is focusing on the pockets of joy that I have in my day to day life. Laughing with friends after classes, seeing the cherry blossoms bloom, and talking with my family allows me to breathe a little easier. In times that are so uncertain, I’ve found it useful to remember all of the things that I am lucky to have. These small moments have allowed me to be more grateful for my own position, where I am stressed about schoolwork that is allowing me to pursue a career that I am passionate about. 

While consciously practicing gratitude has been helpful, one of the best practices for me has also been acknowledging how I’m feeling to my friends. My friends in my cohort are dealing with the same things that I am, and having open and vulnerable conversations with them makes me feel less alone, and also more hopeful. 

Friends aren’t the only resource available to Georgetown Students who are struggling right now. The Office of the Student Ombuds (OSO) is here to help students navigate resources available to them on campus, and listen without judgment to anyone who needs it. If you have questions, or need to talk, reach out to the OSO to keep yourself afloat. 

This OmBlog was written by Maeve Cassetty, M.A. Candidate in Conflict Resolution