The college environment is particularly unsuited to be responsive to the bereaved student because of the demand for a student to continue to focus on his or her academic achievement. Often for students the sense of unreality that is a common form of acute grief is heightened by returning to college life. It becomes easier for students to avoid the painful feelings that grief invokes, while they try not to break down or show sadness. Most often student peers are unprepared to deal with death themselves and cannot support the bereaved student. The grieving student can suffer from loss of concentration and motivation.
Academic work is a college student's job in life.
The inability to do that job can be painful and confusing to students who do not recognize that grief is affecting them. Learn about how grief affects you. Know your won limits and take time for your grief during your studies. Find ways to allow yourself time to be with your loss and seek support from those who will understand. Some friends can offer more support than others, especially if they have lost someone themselves.