The Exam Season: Notes on Student Burnout, Exam Stress, & Mental Health
Let’s talk about burnout.
As exam season approaches, acknowledging mass burnout on campus feels important in offering resources and strategies to prioritize mental health and to encourage a culture of healthy students.
The Buzz would like to clarify that students worked on this article; this is not to replace professional help if needed but rather a chance to open a meaningful conversation about student burnout. See the last page for resources on campus and across London if you or someone you know need access to mental health treatment.
The Power of Taking Breaks
Pov: before settling into the busy library for the day, you let your body wake up slowly, stretch a bit, and fuel up with a nice, warm coffee and breakfast. You remember to take your deep breaths and slow down between study sessions to remind yourself that you - yes you! - are not a robot.
All too often, we as students feel immense pressure to finish a week's worth of work in an hour, and while this is not self-inflicted, it's important to recognize that, realistically, students are humans.
A study from Cornell Health shows that breaks (and no, we aren't talking breaks spent scrolling through tik tok) may even help to increase productivity by resetting energy and giving our brains a chance to refocus. So hey, it's a win-win.
While breaks during study sessions are key in sustaining our academic grind, resting once off campus (or off OWL) is just as important.
We know you've heard it a million times, but rest is crucial for our brains. Information overload causes fatigue and isn't helpful to anyone.
As small as it may seem, prioritizing adequate rest at night, trying to keep your body hydrated, maintaining healthy social connections, and moving the muscles are huge wins for mental health.
Speaking of wins, we need to acknowledge our work, even if it feels like we're our only cheerleaders. Checking things off a to-do list, whether academics or self-care, is worth celebrating.
Tips to Recharge:
take a nature walk
talk to a friend
have a nap
watch a festive movie
make some art
get sunlight
take a few deep breaths
give yourself a hug
set a timer every study hour to take a 5-minute break
break big assignments/study loads into smaller sections
Campus Resources:
Baines Support Center
Professional Counseling Services
The Hive
Peer Support
Case Management Support
Muslim Prayer Room
Brescia Chapel
Health and Wellness Services at Western
Student Health Services (SHS) at Western
Additional supports:
CMHA Crisis Service
Mental Health Walk-In Clinic at Family Services Thames Valley
Please do not hesitate to contact the Buzz editor for further support.