Spring semester rages on: USC Aiken student population facing mental health crisis

“I’m exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally, “ stated Emma Robar, a junior sociology major at USC Aiken. Students attending this semester appeared to resonate with this sentiment, sharing their similar struggles with mental health.

Many students stated their loss of motivation for assignments.

“I don’t have time to think about anything that isn’t school. I’m running out of steam very rapidly,” said Gracie Willis, a freshman.

“It has been awful for me,” stated Ashleigh Yaun. “Up until this semester and even last semester I have been great about turning in and doing work but lately I’m so burnt out, unmotivated and mentally and physically exhausted that I just can’t bring myself to do it.”

A sophomore early childhood education major, Katelyn Lybrand, said “I have a paper that is four days late and I still can’t find the will to do it.”

Some students are considering taking breaks from school as they continue to struggle with their mental health.

According to Yaun, “There are nights when I really sit there and contemplate dropping all of my classes. This semester is kicking my behind and because of how draining it has been on me I am actually looking into taking a break from college for a little bit after this semester.”

“My mental health is at an all time low,” said Omara Chavez, a first-year sociology major. “I have cried and broken down every night for the past two weeks. I’m exhausted and completely pushing off of little to nothing. At this point I’m afraid of assignments.”

One concern that these students have is the lack of empathy the university seems to have during this time.

Freshman and early childhood education major Lydia Hooper said, “The fact that the university has no care for our mental health or wellbeing [sic] is going to be the reason the university will lose most of its students.”