Sarah Grace Meyn

As finals week approaches, college students across Mississippi are feeling the pressure, with many reporting symptoms of burnout as academic demands intensify.
According to the World Health Organization, burnout is “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” Symptoms can include exhaustion, negativity toward responsibilities, and decreased productivity.
While burnout is typically associated with workplace environments, students are increasingly experiencing similar symptoms in academic settings. Contributing factors may include academic overload, social pressures, and constant connectivity due to technology in the classroom.
“Burnout over time can lead to issues with completing everyday tasks and problems with finding motivation to complete tasks outside of work,” the WHO notes. If left unaddressed, burnout can increase symptoms related to depression.
Some students have developed personal strategies to manage stress. Kameria Jackson, a student at the University of Southern Mississippi, said setting boundaries with her time has helped her cope.
“What I do is I try to have a specific time where I choose to have my cutoff,” Jackson said. “Whether I’m choosing 6 p.m. every night or saying I’m going to finish everything by noon on Friday. I always try to have that specific time where everything is done so I can use the rest of my time to rest, eat, or whatever else I need to do.”
Health professionals, including those at the Mayo Clinic, often recommend regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and healthy sleep habits as effective tools to manage burnout.
“If I’m stressed while trying to finish my work for a class, I try to get away from wherever I’m at,” said Cole Philips, another USM student. “It doesn’t matter if I’m in my apartment, the library, or just working on campus. I get out with some friends and just take some time to enjoy myself for a little bit before getting back to work. I like to take a walk or maybe join in a game or something on campus.”
Students experiencing serious symptoms of burnout are encouraged to reach out to their campus counseling services. At the University of Southern Mississippi, Student Counseling Services offers resources to support students’ mental health needs during high-stress times such as finals.