Yenis Gonzalez, a junior at Cal State LA, appeared stress-free as she worked the booth in the middle of Cal State LA’s University Plaza for the Center for Student Involvment’s (CSI) first “Beat the Burnout” event on March 9. But she knows this is a high-pressure time of year for students with midterms around the corner, and hoped the goodies she handed out might lessen their anxiety.

Burnout is defined by stress, exhaustion and overall fatigue from being overworked, according to Merriam Webster. The combination of school, family, job and personal life can be overwhelming to maintain. Students interviewed said that with multiple obligations, they have difficulties dedicating time to self-care and activities outside of their studies.

“There are so many different roles that students take on,” Gonzalez said. “Whether they’re a student, a parent, a  brother, a sibling and so on. I wanted to provide an event where all students are able to have a break.”

88% of college students reported having a stressful school-life, according to a 2022 survey by the American Addictions Center. 89% reported exams as their biggest stressor.

Many Cal State LA students hold full-time jobs and raise families while going to school.

Valerie Perlovskaya, a junior at Cal State LA, said she buys lego sets to fight feelings of burnout. She runs a club on-campus, has two fellowships and goes to school full-time.

“I get so stressed out that I can’t get anything done because I’m sitting there worrying about how much I have to do,” said Perlovskaya.

Vyoma Sadhu is a computer science major at Cal State LA who noticed the CSI booth while walking through University Plaza.

Sadhu has a heavy workload at school and was excited to explore the booth. Last week, she participated in an on-campus painting event and said she wants to see more events like these.

“I really appreciate activities like this in college. It really helps students,” Sadhu said. “It encourages them to do something apart from studies.”

Gonzalez placed a “mindfulness card” in each colorful goody bag. Each card had a cheerful affirmation. “Be silly. Be honest. Be kind,” one card said.

Students were offered one snack and drink of choice before playing self-care roulette on a spinning wheel, where they were able to win prizes such as Rubik’s cubes, colored pens, erasers and self-care coloring sheets.

Next to the booth was a whiteboard where students were encouraged to write down their self-care routines and suggest event ideas for the future. Multiple students wrote suggestions for a board game night for the next event.

Gonzalez was inspired to create the event. As a student who experiences the stress of college, she wanted to take the opportunity to support fellow Golden Eagles during the midterms season.

Many of the items she chose to give out were “intentional” and related to the theme of the event.

Students, faculty and staff can learn more about CSI from its Instagram page, @csicalstatela.

Alysia Burke contributed to this story.