Battling the Semester Burnout

As the semester draws closer to the end, students at Shawnee State University (SSU) feel the weight of coursework more and more with each passing week. However, with a mere month left in the term, it is just as important as ever to combat this burnout in whatever ways possible.

Students of SSU have gone on record as to admit to being frustrated with their classes, stating that it is just as simple as losing their drive. According to an article published by The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), last year, 85 percent of college students admitted to feeling “overwhelmed,” with 30 percent having admitted that their stress level greatly contributed to their academic performances.

Additionally, in a study conducted by Mental Health America (MHA), the organization found that 28 percent of college students reported feeling so depressed that they were incapable of functioning. Meanwhile, only 8 percent sought help from a mental health professional.

SSU student Jerry “Koopa” Igaz, well known for his presence in the game room in the University Center, shared these sentiments and offered advice that has personally helped him this semester.

Igaz began by saying, “I always try to find a short-term goal to look forward to, and then reward myself for it. Like, let’s say there’s an assignment due on Friday and I’ve got the ability to get it done before then. If I can finish the assignment before Wednesday, I might treat myself to an ice cream or use that extra time to play a video game I like!”

Following this, he stated that what he does to help alleviate the workload is to break his assignments into chunks. Using an example, he explained, “If I have a 2,000-word essay that needs to be typed, I try to type sections of the paper instead of the whole thing at once. 500 words a day or 250 twice a day, maybe? Knowing when to quit and recharge is important!”

He closed by exploring other methods that he personally uses when studying or working. Igaz recommended that students try listening to different music while they work, as it can function as background noise and can be relaxing for many.

Additionally, he stated that it is best to experiment with different tracks in order to get an idea of what genres each college student “vibes with.” Lastly, he advised that during work time, it may be smart to keep smartphones away, as the temptation to check social media or message people could be strong.

Overall, it is evident that semester burnout is real and incredibly difficult, with there being strong connections to depression, anxiety and stress. Therefore, it is important that all SSU students do what they can to combat this with whatever healthy habits they can. It could be as simple as remaining organized, incentivizing your study and work methods, or turning on some tunes and turning off cell phones.