How is Elon Handling Mid-Semester Burnout?

Every year, halfway through each semester, college students often find that their professors increase the workload. Generally, this happens during the week or two before fall and spring breaks. It can become difficult to manage the countless papers, tests and midterms as the initial freshness of the semester has worn off. Maintaining motivation can seem impossible. 

We at The Edge checked in with a current freshman, sophomore, junior and senior student to see how they are feeling midway through the semester.

Q: How has your workload been so far this semester?

Freshman: My high school prepared me really well for the college workload. I feel like the amount of work I have nowadays is relatively reasonable, even easier compared to high school.

Sophomore: My workload has probably been the most I have ever experienced at college so far. Although I have things going on outside of school, I am taking a lot of STEM classes that require a lot of studying/work outside of just showing up to class.

Junior: My workload this semester has been a lot. I have had so much reading to do and big assignments rather than busy work. I feel like once I finish one thing, I'm already behind on the next.

Senior: Being a senior, I only have three classes this semester. My senior seminar and nutrition class have homework every class period, so those are a lot. However, my biodiversity class workload is not awful. The workload is bearable for now.

Q: How does your workload compare to your previous semester?

Freshman: My classes have been good. I only took three classes this fall semester, and this semester I am taking four. So, the work has increased a little bit, but nothing is unmanageable. 

Sophomore: Last semester, I was only taking one lab. Having another one thrown into the mix is like taking six classes instead of four.

Junior: It is different. Last semester I studied abroad in London, and I had tons of long essays due every week, so that was overwhelming. This semester, I have not had any crazy long essays yet. Both semesters have been a ton of work but just different types.

Senior: I have been taking nursing school pre-requirements throughout college, so now that those are done, this semester’s workload is nothing compared to past semester’s. 

Q: Did you have any midterms last week?

Freshman: I’ve had to write one essay last week which was pretty easy. I also had one in-class test which was also fairly trouble-free. 

Sophomore: Last Friday, I had a Chemistry II test; on Monday, I had a Genetics test; on Wednesday, I had a lab practical, an article review due for my Religion class, and another article review due for my Psychology class (each four pages). 

Junior: I had a midterm exam last week for my non experimental research methods and statistics class, and then I have one the week we get back from spring break for my psychology of learning class.

Senior: I have had two midterm tests last week in my nutrition class and then my biodiversity class. 

Q: How have you been handling your workload?

Freshman: I give myself a set amount of time to do my work, so I am not overwhelmed and have time to do other things.

Sophomore: Honestly not that great. I really haven’t had any free time and instead of sitting down to study; I get nervous about not doing well. I’m so burnt out and tired and need a break more than anything.

Junior: I have been a mess. I have had so many anxiety attacks and I’m just so exhausted from work, so I have definitely been struggling with motivation due to the burnout. 

Senior: Honestly, since all my past semesters have been extremely difficult, I think this semester is one of my easiest, so I am not really feeling any mid-semester burnout.

Q: Has an increase in workload impacted your mental health at all? If so, how?

Freshman:  My slightly increased workload has not impacted my mental health at all.

Sophomore: Besides feeling super stressed and just needing a break, I’m still happy and feeling healthy. I’m a little more on edge because I don’t have as much free time to go to the gym or sit down and enjoy a meal. I have felt pretty much on-the-go all week.

Junior: It has negatively impacted my mental health drastically because I don't have time to do things for me because all I am doing is work, so I haven't had balance.

Senior: This semester, my mental health has been so much better than past semesters. My classes are nothing compared to past years, so I am in a good mental state. 

While burnout is often at an all-time high halfway through the semester, students can experience it at any point.