By Fatima Salinas  

Midway through the semester, it’s common for students to start feeling the pressure. Between exams, papers, group projects, and other responsibilities, burnout can quickly set in, no matter what you’re studying. Students across the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (and beyond!) Experience these challenges, whether they’re balancing long reading lists, lab work, creative projects, or research deadlines. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re definitely not alone. Here are a few strategies students use to combat burnout and keep moving forward in their fields of study. 

Recognizing the signs 

For many students, burnout builds up over time rather than happening all at once. 

Daniela Jimenez, a third-year student studying management on the human resources track, said, “I experience burnout when I’ve been constantly stressed for a long period of time.  I become more forgetful, sometimes miss deadlines, and it can even be harder to start assignments because I’m thinking about everything I have to do.” 

Similarly, Mackenzie Fenwick, a senior majoring in journalism and mass communication, with a minor in psychology and certificates in nonprofit leadership and philanthropy, described burnout as a point in the semester when everything begins to pile up at once. 

“Due dates start to align in various classes, and the anxiety of it all starts to creep in,” Fenwick said. “While I push to get all my work in on time, I’m fighting exhaustion the entire time.” 

Finding ways to cope 

When overwhelmed, students emphasize the importance of addressing the feeling early and finding strategies that work for them personally. 

Jimenez said she focuses on staying organized and making time for herself before things become unmanageable. 

“I make a list of tasks in order of priority and focus on them one at a time,” Jimenez said. “ I also take time for myself, whether that’s hanging out with friends or having a self-care night.” 

For Fenwick, stepping away from schoolwork and turning to physical activity helps reset both her mindset and energy levels. 

“I like to pause and take a step back from my responsibilities and my computer,” she said. “I go to work out, put my headphones in, and focus on something else. Music and a good lift help me power through burnout.” 

Advice from CLAS students 

Both Jimenez and Fenwick agree that one of the most important things is giving yourself permission to take a break and ask for help when needed. 

“You shouldn’t feel guilty [about taking care of yourself],” Jimenez said “Only you know what you’re experiencing, and your feelings are valid.” 

Fenwick echoed this, encouraging students to step away from schoolwork without worrying about falling behind. 

“Taking an hour for yourself is not going to be the reason you don’t turn something in or get a bad grade,” she said. “Step into something you enjoy, whether that’s reading or watching a show. Burnout is temporary and taking that time can help those feelings pass.”