Editorial: I’m Excited to Be Here, but Burnout Is Still Real

I am honored to hand my torch to Bailey Weber, who will be serving as our editor-in-chief in Fall 2022. There is no student more dedicated, knowledgable, or qualified for the position, and I am ecstatic to see where Bailey takes The Insider.
Thank you for allowing me to be the editor-in-chief of your student newspaper for two years. Please, as always, stay in touch with us on Twitter, and feel free to contact us at UPGInsider[at]outlook.com any time.
Sincerely,
Madi Jarnot

This upcoming semester is possibly my last at Pitt-Greensburg. However, it will be my first serving as the editor-in-chief of The Insider. I am overwhelmed with joy and excitement, yet I fear what is waiting for me down the road: burnout.

Burnout is still very real to college students around the country. We are dealing with the fallout of COVID-19, we are finally adjusting to being fully back in-person, and we have to be social again. Students likely feel as though they are drowning with how much they have on their plate. 

The Rice Thresher, Rice University’s student newspaper, explained that students who are doing the average amount of work are getting symptoms of burnout. If we can’t do the minimum amount of work required without feeling overwhelmed, what are we supposed to do? 

Students need to learn how to take better care of their mental health. One of the ways they can do this is by going to the Counseling Center. Students can schedule an appointment by calling 724-836-9870, or they can email GbgCounseling@pitt.edu. 

Students should try and take breaks throughout the day too. They could even try and take a walk around campus during their breaks. Studies show that taking walks outside benefits mental health in many ways. 

If students are having an urgent mental health crisis, they can call the Westmoreland County Crisis Hotline at 1-800-836-6010. 

Students can fight burnout by eating three meals a day, drinking enough water, and getting seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Yes, this can be difficult sometimes, but it is important to stay healthy during the stressful parts of the semester. 

An easy way to stay on top of everything is making sure you leave time to do activities you like. Keeping up with hobbies is a great way to improve mental health, especially when it feels like everything is crashing down on you. 

I am happy that I can leave my dorm room and see people’s smiles again. I am excited to be in-person full-time for my classes next year. I am proud to take the torch from Madi and keep you all updated with campus news. 

Our students need to keep up with their mental health to prevent burnout. It is dire because we don’t know what the future holds. 

Other stories for volume 16, issue 6:
CMRO and Pitt-Greensburg Report Different COVID-19 Case Counts
Pitt-Greensburg Says Farewell to Retiring Faculty
What’s Becoming a Citizen Like?
Getting Through Finals Week: How to Stay Sane
Ketanji Brown Jackson to be First Black Woman on Supreme Court
Spring 2022 Senior Capstone Presentations
Side-by-Side: Was Chris Rock or Will Smith Right?
Stream Your Heart Out: “Our Flag Means Death” Review
Play Your Heart Out: Fate Board Game
Play Your Heart Out: “LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga”
The Custody of Cody Rhodes: AEW Versus WWE