The month of November begins the slope to the end of the semester. Sometimes, however, the slope gets steeper than usual around this time, causing what is known as Nervous Breakdown November. Some students talk about their Novembers and explained why the month seems to be so gloomy.

Mori Hitchcock ’16, Chester Pa.:

I actually had a breakdown on Election Day. Everything just got to be too much. I couldn’t handle everything being piled up at the same time.

Alison McCauley ’15, Montgomery Pa.:

I am feeling kind of stressed out. It’s the end of the semester blues. Everything is coming to an end, and having to finalize things for a grade is a stressful thought for most people, myself included. The weather getting bitter also makes everything feel hard and cold when all you want to do is sleep in a warm bed and not fret over deadlines. It is tough to find a balance and make up for what you now realize is the end of the semester. The semester is ending and winter is starting, and all you have left is the final assignments in your classes and then you’re done.

Andrew Gill ’15, Rochester N.Y.:

Yes, school is starting to really get hectic for me. It seems like tests, presentations, and classwork in general are all being assigned at the same time and it is very stressful to cope with. Time management is even harder when you have more to do, so a lack of time and a surplus of work make it more difficult to manage your time as well.

Alexa Laudenslager ’14, Halifax Pa.:

I am definitely feeling the pressure. This time of the semester is so stressful because you’re trying to prepare yourself for finals both mentally and academically. As if that isn’t enough, the professors all tend to pile on an extra layer of work as well, so it’s hard to balance the work that needs done now with the preparation for the work that you know will hit you later.

Brennan Cornelius ’13, Orbisonia Pa.:

I’m not having any nervous breakdowns, but November can definitely be stressful at times. This is a different kind of semester for me, because I am student teaching. For everyone, there is a lot of pressure to finish work before Thanksgiving that you don’t want looming over you for the whole break, but then there are things you can’t just do on your own time. For example, in the next two weeks, I have a mock interview, my last two formal teaching observations, and a presentation at a state conference.

- Nikki Halstead ’15 Juniata Online Journalist