As the spring season rolls in, so does semester burnout. While actual research is hard to come by, you’ve probably heard someone say that the spring semester is harder to balance than the fall semester.
A study of 55,000 undergraduate students that was done during last spring semester by the American College Health Association (ACHA) found that approximately 76% were experiencing moderate to serious psychological distress. Symptoms for psychological distress can look like exhaustion, lack of motivation, lack of focus, anxiety and depression.
Another study from Gallup and the Lumina Foundation says that 54% of college students consider leaving their programs because of emotional stress and 43% consider leaving due to mental health reasons.
Stephanie Mendoza, a junior biology major, says, “Spring semester is always a struggle for me, but I always feel relieved to know that other college students feel the same.” Mendoza emphasizes the importance of communicating your stress and emotions because most times, another student is facing the same problems you are facing.
Lydia Coursey, a senior communications major, says, “One of my spring semesters, I felt like I was drowning in my schoolwork while also trying to balance the club I am a part of and the moment I talked to someone about it, they told me they felt the same way and it was comforting to hear.”
Coursey didn’t just use the knowledge of knowing her friend was struggling to comfort herself, but she used that knowledge to motivate others. Coursey says, “Now whenever I am overwhelmed with school, I remind myself that I am here for a purpose, and I can be a light to other students who might be struggling.”
Resources on campus such as UNG Counseling Services, Tutoring Services and Supplemental Instruction serve as ways students can prevent academic burnout in the Spring.
Mendoza encourages students to utilize these resources if they are struggling. Mendoza says, “I have definitely taken advantage of tutoring services, and they even have a system where your professor can see your hours spent in their office. My professors were willing to help me out with my grades because they saw that I went to tutoring.”
