Apr. 25, 2021
I interviewed students and faculty around BU’s campus on how pandemic burnout has affected them.
Anthony Chang works at the IT Help Center Desk in Mugar Memorial Library. “I’m the kind of person that likes structure. It’s pretty easy to wake up 5 minutes before class and pull up your computer and attend class that way. But I think having the structure of having to wake up an hour early to make breakfast and get ready and put effort into starting the day is really beneficial to me. The opportunity to not [attend class], while it may be easier, has been a negative in terms of work ethic and accelerated burnout. It’s kind of like the same thing everyday, there’s no difference in routine,” said Chang.
Olivia Fordyce believes that the lack of social interaction this semester has been taking a toll on students. “Digital connection just isn’t the same as seeing someone in person. There’s something about talking to someone in real life and sitting next to them that you can’t replicate on Zoom, so I think it’s been a bit lonely for everyone. On top of that, I’m working twice as hard to get the grades I would’ve gotten easily last year. It’s so much harder to focus in online classes. It feels like all of my time is allocated to meeting deadlines,” said Fordyce.
Keira McAteer works at the City Convenience store in the George Sherman Union. “I’m usually really proactive with my work, but I’ve been doing things last minute recently. That was a sign that I was losing my motivation. I work pretty much 30 hours a week as a student, so it’s a lot. It’s definitely very hard to balance school and work and a social life, especially now. It’s been hard finding time to do things that I want to do and have fun,” said McAteer.
Professor Kyna Hamill teaches at BU’s College of Arts & Sciences. “Before the pandemic, I probably worked a little bit through the weekend and would grade or whatever. But now I hold my weekends sacred. Saturdays and Sundays I don’t do anything related to school, if I can possibly help it. That’s actually been my way of recharging and being able to be hyper present for students for the following week. That’s something I’m gonna carry on afterwards, because I really value the weekends now,” said Professor Hamill.
Avi Nguyen studies in the George Sherman Union Back Court. “I feel like I had to put in more effort [this year], because it’s so much harder to focus on online classes. You have so many small distractions that don’t bother you in a classroom as much, but when you’re alone in your own place, I guess you don’t feel that obligation to stay completely focused. I actually dropped one of my majors because I couldn’t do it anymore. That was a pretty big moment for me,” said Nguyen.
Aileen Tran 