As midterms wrap up and finals season dawns on the horizon, many students may begin to worry about maintaining momentum and could be faced with burnout and exhaustion.
But it is not too late to get back on track.
The Shorthorn Editorial Board believes that at this point in the year, students should plan out the rest of their semester and create a balanced schedule that accommodates studying, responsibilities and rest, and still leaves room for fun.
UTA’s final exams start in about a month. For those in labs or project-based classes, finals may be even closer.
Some students may be experiencing burnout, the feeling of physical, emotional or mental exhaustion. While not an official medical diagnosis, it is a common feeling as a result of continued exposure to stress.
It can manifest as loss of motivation, fatigue, irritability, sleep troubles, changes in eating habits, mood changes, headaches and other physical symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
In 2024, more than 80% of graduates reported experiencing symptoms of burnout at some point during their undergraduate career, according to Handshake, a college job search platform.
While burnout is common, there are also many steps students can take to mitigate the feeling. Students can make time for enjoyable activities, prioritize time management, build positive relationships with professors and take a step back to reduce their stress levels.
At a Glance
The Issue: Toward the end of the semester, many students may see a drop in productivity and experience burnout.
We Think: Maintaining a balanced schedule is beneficial in achieving one’s goals.
Take Action: Students should optimize the rest of their semester by planning their schedule and focusing on reducing stress.
The end of the semester may seem far away, but students should start planning the rest of their semester. Putting everything on a calendar or list can help students visualize what needs to be done and how they need to manage their time.
When creating a schedule, students should account not only for assignments and study sessions but also for work shifts, family commitments, rest and fun.
Making time to do something enjoyable such as going on a walk, engaging in a creative hobby or spending time with friends can help reduce stress and place students in a better headspace as they finish out the semester.
It isn’t too late to get on track. So plan ahead, take time to rest and finish strong.
The Shorthorn Editorial Board is made up of opinion editor Lillian Durand, editor-in-chief Pedro Malkomes; news editor James Ward; associate news editor Taylor Sansom; multimedia editor Samarie Goffney; engagement editor Sairam Marupudi; design editor Haley Walton; news reporter Acadia Clements; and engagement producers Jessica Arnold and Natalie Gomez. Goffney, Clements, Arnold and Gomez were not present for this discussion. Copy editor Noah Little and illustrator Ryleigh Hood attended in their place.
opinion-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu