Illustration by Anayah Darrett
As the semester progresses, students may begin to feel the weight of assignments, work and social obligations on their shoulders.
For some students, this exhaustion can make or break how they finish the semester. What they may not realize is that they are burned out or how severe their burnout is.
The Shorthorn Editorial Board believes that recognizing and getting ahead of burnout can help students finish the semester strong.
Burnout is common among college students. With it typically comes the same advice: take a nap, make a to-do list or get organized. For some students, these are not realistic solutions to the cause of their burnout.
According to Mental Health America, burnout is physical, mental or emotional exhaustion caused by ongoing stress.
For students, this can be from overloaded class schedules, assignments or other responsibilities like clubs and friendships.
Common signs of burnout can include:
Constant exhaustionDreading responsibilities that were once enjoyedFeeling detached, emotionally numb or unmotivatedStruggling to focus or making more mistakes than normalFeeling anxious, irritable or overwhelmed more oftenFrequent physical issues such as headaches, digestive issues or muscle tension
Some symptoms of burnout are shared with depression, according to Mental Health America. Because of this, it’s important for students to look at the cause of their symptoms. Burnout is tied to a specific activity, whereas depression affects every aspect of life.
In some cases, burnout may not be something students can find a solution to by making changes in their personal life. This could be because of systemic issues such as an overdemanding job, class or other circumstance.
This might be where setting boundaries works best. Telling someone that a task is unobtainable is not a sign of weakness or insubordination.
At a Glance
The Issue: As the semester progresses, students may start to feel burned out.
We Think: Recognizing and getting ahead of burnout can help students finish the semester strong.
Take Action: Students should reflect on their needs and make changes to get through the remainder of the semester.
Being open about burnout is sometimes the best way to begin treating it. Telling a co-worker, manager or professor that you’re experiencing burnout can open a door to the support often needed.
If voicing the issue causes a superior to retaliate, students can remove themselves from the situation by looking for a job that prioritizes employee health or by filing a complaint.
While it’s not always possible to take a step back from the things that cause burnout, finding small, simple ways to alleviate stress can also be effective.
Remembering the small things that made one happy before burnout can also be a good start.
Whether it’s reading a book for a few minutes, going on a quick walk or run, calling a friend or taking a nap, fixing burnout may not require a large, life-altering change.
Allowing burnout to fester or ignoring the signs won’t help make the situation better. According to Healthline, as burnout worsens, it can begin manifesting as physical issues such as increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, Type 2 diabetes, depression and in worse cases, suicide.
At UTA, students can make appointments with Counseling and Psychological Services to talk with a counselor or psychologist to work out realistic solutions. Students are eligible for six free individual sessions a semester, with every session after being $10, according to the CAPS website.
Under the website’s resources tab, students can access local and self-help resources, along with mental health apps and additional aid.
It is essential for students to take care of their mental health. Burnout is not something to ignore and is not something students have to go through alone.
The Shorthorn Editorial Board is made up of opinion editor Noah Little, managing editor Leslie Orozco, engagement editor Sairam Marupudi, design editor Ryleigh Hood, copy editors Adwita Kunte and Isabella Moreno, and news reporters Gabrielle Jankowski and Xioany Collazo.