I am burnt the fuck out. My body is tired. My mind is tired. It is quite clearly being reflected in multiple facets of my life. I don’t even have the energy to speak to people much anymore. Classes where attendance is mandatory have not been seeing me. My grades were fine but now they’re dropping a bit and I just don’t know how to cope with this. This is reflected within my style as well. One of the biggest signs of burnout I have come to realize in myself is that my outfit is pretty simple, that’s not a regular thing for me.
I feel terrible. I look in the mirror and I can’t recognize myself. All I see is the numerous horrendous bags under my eyes. I’m trying. I really am trying not to let my exhaustion consume me and derail the academic success I’ve set myself up for but I’m having a hard time coping. This type of stress should not be the norm for college students. We aren’t even guaranteed a secure job at the end of this all so is it worth the mental strain? I question this everyday. All I do know is that I am burnt the fuck out and don’t know how to deal with it.
Unruly Bodies 
Hey,
You are 100% correct. We see your strain and synchronize because college truly is stressful AF. After each assignment submitted, you really only get one breath of air before another is due. All I can say as your fellow classmate, is that we’re almost at the finish line so keep pushing!!
Say it louder! I agree with you completely. As the semester comes to a close, it becomes stressful and I sometimes get the feeling of “why bother?” As children, we are taught to graduate high school and attend college in order to be respected and be financially independent, but the struggles and sometimes negative aspects are not discussed and you realize that college is not easy or a fairytale. Different people have different experiences, it is in your classrooms, once people start to participate in discussions, that several people feel the same way that you do regarding a number of topics. This is where bonds are created or the uplifting process to continue with your studies. I am a senior, so I have one semester left, and my brain hurts because I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but also stressed about making sure that I meet all of my requirements for graduation, but will also settle for a C at this point, because most employers are not looking at your transcript, just if you can instantly submit your degree to prove graduation. In some of my courses, I have to set goals for certain assignments as they may take longer. I also factor in that I am a wife and mother, so I’m use to stress, it makes you more tough. Is stress worth it? Only you can decide how yo want to contribute to society, no matter what path you decide.
oofta, felt. I kept burning out last year and then some other stuff happened and I had to drop out of some classes the first semester and all of them second semester. So now I am part time, cus finishing the credits I start is better then dropping any. I never considered going part time before and saw it as quitting (which it’s not), but it was so worth it. It’s not something everyone can do, but it has allowed me to get a part time job and do school. And while it’s still a lot, a job doesn’t have HW, so it’s a lot more manageable. There’s no one way to do college. I’ve decided I’m gonna go my own pace, and not push quite as hard to be perfect. I find making sure I’m eating fruits and vegetables and sleeping enough (though I’m not always great at doing that and I can feel it in my body) it helps with energy and mood more than people realize. I feel a lot less burnt out now, and my mental health is so much better too. Might not be an option for you, but that’s what helped me.
You and me both! Hopefully thanksgiving break will give everyone some down time but professors are STILL assigning work which is beyond me. UMD has thanksgiving break starting today and I have no idea why UMBC couldn’t just give us the whole week. They don’t understand that we NEED a break, not want it. We have been in school since August 30th and that is 85 freaking days. And yes I included the weekends because we still got assignments and studying to do. That is absolutely criminal. I’m grateful for Dr. Kate because she understands that this is an issue prevalent among students and I’m sure teachers. I wish all professors were more sympathetic before labelling a student “lazy” or “unorganized”.
I can completely relate. Every time I sit down to study, it seems like nothing is sticking in my brain. No matter how hard I try, it feels like everything is falling apart. I want to take a break, but I feel guilty when I do because I feel like I’m falling behind in all my classes. Even though the break is next week, I have to study and do homework the entire time. I literally just want the semester to just end. But I do hope that you’ll be able to take a break during Thanksgiving.