Fighting student burnout before Thanksgiving Break

  Burnout for students doesn’t wait for midterms or finals, between assignments, jobs and life, things can pile up fast.

  Aiden Young, a sophomore, said he felt the effects of burnout as deadlines “stacked up” last year as a freshman. 

“I was taking on a whole new set of responsibilities,” Young said. “I didn’t really have a clue what was going on, and started adding too many things to my plate with classes and work, while trying to make new friends at UMKC.” 

  He plans on approaching this semester more carefully to avoid feeling drained. “I think I am just trying not to bite off more than I can chew, and really focus on my couple of classes and put my energy towards work,” said Young. 

  Other students have found that leaning on campus resources can take that pressure off. 

  Yuliana Galindo, also a sophomore, turned to Roo Wellness, UMKC’s student service that provides counseling, healthcare and accessibility services.

  After managing the stresses of classes, apartment hunting and working two part-time jobs last semester, Galindo thought it would be a good idea to seek out support.

  “I’ve kind of been doing the adulting thing for a long time, but with classes and a job, it just became so much. I felt myself starting to crack under the pressure,” she said. “This semester, I just didn’t want to push myself too far, so I thought it’d be helpful to start going to therapy. Roo Wellness felt like a low-pressure and accessible way to start.” 

  She has already identified some tools she learned to help her combat burnout, such as journaling, using an assignment tracker and maintaining a shared calendar with friends.

  While it is early in the year, it’s important to plan for success. With intentional strategies, peer support and campus resources, students can manage the new school year’s demands and reach Thanksgiving Break with their inner balance still intact.

  Appointments can be made by visiting Roo Wellness online or in person at their office, located on the 2nd floor of Brookside 51.

[email protected]