Thankful, but Tired: What November Feels like at Rutgers–Camden
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The month of November can feel like a month of contradictions. The weather is changing, Thanksgiving break is looming like a light at the end of the tunnel, and reminders of “gratitude” are everywhere. But for many students, this season can feel a lot less about cozy holiday warmth and more about pushing through their exhaustion. With finals approaching and academic pressures at an all time high, being thankful is toe to toe with feeling pretty tired.
As finals are inching closer, students are faced with a growing list of pressures: final papers, research assignments, major projects, exams, and presentations are all competing for attention. The expectation to remain cheerful is met with some intense burnout.
For students staying on campus, Thanksgiving can be quite the emotional challenge as well. Martin Cephas, a graduate student who remained on campus for the holiday last year described this time of year as a difficult one even before beginning his graduate program at Rutgers–Camden.
“I was lucky to have met a student also staying on campus…she obliged to join me,” Cephas said. Sharing a meal with another student helped ease some of the isolation that can often accompany the holiday. For many, Thanksgiving on campus can be just another reminder of distance, from family, from tradition, or simply the comfort of familiar routines. Especially for first year students.
So why does November feel so heavy? Academic pressures are peaking, while students are navigating personal, sometimes stressful transitions. Some are facing the complexities of returning home, while others anxiously struggle with not going home at all. Balancing so many emotional expectations alongside looming guidelines can be a quiet challenge for many students.
Burnout is especially common at this time, and many students often report increased fatigue, decreased sleep, difficulty focusing, and really just a sense of being overwhelmed. This combination of academic and emotional stress can make November feel uniquely draining.
Alex Townsend, a graduate student here at RU, shares her must-haves for surviving law school and combatting burnout. Townsend explained, “it is so important to hold yourself accountable” while trying to find the small wins during the tail end of the semester and that “time management is truly your friend.” Ultimately, “grades do not define you, and it is okay to take a break. Depriving ourselves of things that bring us joy is the most significant contributor to burnout.”
Recognizing these challenges, Rutgers–Camden’s Wellness Center does actively prioritize combating the stressors this time of year and offers several resources aimed at aiding students. Students can find the center located inside the Campus Center, with a map of exact directions right on their website. The Center provides an array of resources designed to help students cope, such as…
- Individual counseling and short-term therapy
- Uwill (teletherapy)
- Togetherall (free peer-to-peer online community)
- Raptor pantry
- Crises services
The Wellness Center also hosts “Wellness Wednesdays,” which are weekly events aimed at equipping students with the tools and skills to manage stress, build healthy academic routines, and practice self-care. “To be a successful learner and give yourself the best opportunity for a bright future, it is important to prioritize your own well-being,” the Center emphasizes in its mission.
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