As exciting as it can be for some, returning to campus can be just as daunting for others. It’s only natural given the desire to succeed and fear of failure that weigh so many of us down. Add to that a summer break that is never long enough and you’ve got a disaster cocktail in the making. The end result is nothing short of burnout, test-stress, and anxiety.
Looking at our packed schedules for the next few months can be daunting. In addition to establishing a work-study balance that suits our needs there’s the demands of family, friends, and the many hobbies bound to vie for our time during the semester. But while it doesn’t appear so, burnout and stress aren’t inevitable.
Professor Derek Petrey, Chair of the Humanities, Government, & Modern Languages Department, knows a thing or two about the back to school blues. He’s picked up a few hacks in a distinguished career that has taken the polyglot around the world.
“It’s important you read your syllabus well and know what to expect from a course. See if there’s something you might want to watch out for that could be very important later on. A lot of courses have really cool end of semester projects that many students, because they are so focused on the week to week, don’t prepare for until the last minute,” Petrey told The Clarion.
Forming student groups early on can be key to properly understanding study material.
“Students should try to find classmates they can form study groups with. Because if you have someone in your class you can connect with, you’re going to share that experience with them which can help you get through those days when you aren’t motivated to study. There are a lot of nice places to meet on campus to go over staff. It can be hard to find the time but you’re kind of depriving yourself if you don’t make an effort to process what you just learned,” Petrey said.
According to Petrey, many students fail to take time and reflect on what they’ve learned. This, he said, can quickly lead to burnout.
“People can reflect as a team in those study groups. I always found that while I may have a perspective on things, others have their own too, and by sharing we can figure things out,” he said.
What works for students can also work for faculty according to the veteran educator. Just as students can benefit greatly from socializing so can teachers.
“We should be making those connections as well. I try to establish ties outside my department too. I love my department but I also know lots of colleagues in other parts of my division and beyond that,” stated Petrey.
On the other side of the equation, Ohio State University student and Sinclair alum Ted Nagasawa agrees that preparation is important. He’s preparing for a packed fall semester and knows there is only one way to hit the ground running.
“I tend to schedule talks with professors in my department. I’ll be talking to the faculty advisor and emailing as many as I can to ask for advice, tips, etc. Communicating with instructors is a good way to learn what they’re like and reduce whatever anxiety I might feel,” Nagasawa said.
As a Medieval Renaissance Studies major in Columbus, the Creative Writing graduate has a packed schedule to look forward to. But he’s been preparing long and hard to make the most of his classes this Fall.
Nagasawa said, “I’m also looking forward to reconnecting with classmates I linked up with in previous semesters. Socializing is important, so getting in touch with friends and keeping myself busy will be important. I’m really looking forward to participating in different social groups.”
In Professor Petrey’s words, finding ways to detach can also help students and faculty manage the rigors of a new semester. This early it might seem like an uphill battle. But with the right gameplan it’ll be one more semester on the path to academic greatness. Now, whose ready to win?
Ismael David Mujahid, Executive Editor