As midterm season approaches, with quizzes and project deadlines piling up, the fast-paced demands of academia can lead students to overlook self-care and mental health. This self-neglect can lead to early burnout, a challenge many of us currently face.

To stay on track academically, it is essential to prioritize our mental well-being since both are intricately connected and support one another. It is time for us students to take action to improve our mental health. To mitigate the risk of burnout, understanding the resources available for achieving this is key.

NYU Abu Dhabi has several mental health resources, one of the most prominent being the Raising Empowered Advocates for Community Health. REACH is a community and department at NYUAD that focuses on addressing mental health on campus. It is student-led, meaning their assessments are intentionally student-based, coming directly from our peers who empathize.

Rashed Alshamsi, a member of REACH, shares how the organization serves as a valuable resource in addressing the collective struggles students face and how REACH can help. Let us start by demystifying REACH! In an interview with him, he debriefed common misconceptions about REACH that he wished more students understood. “A common misconception is that REACH is just the Nook. While the Nook is part of REACH, it’s much more than that”, he elaborated.

The Nook is one of the most prominent resources offered by REACH, as it is an opportunity for students to seek some mental health support from people like them, as some may be intimidated by the idea of counseling. Therefore, I had to ask what it is that the Nook really does.

Rashed thoughtfully explained that “the Nook is a safe space where any student can walk in and talk about anything they want, whether it's good or bad. It’s private but not confidential, meaning that anything shared remains private unless it could harm the student or others. In those cases, we discuss further action with our supervisors.”

He also added that, “we’re not counselors; we’re peer supporters who help students navigate their experiences.” It is noteworthy that these peer supporters are, in fact, fellow undergraduate students. They offer insights based on their experiences and knowledge. Also as some of us may struggle with being vulnerable, REACH’s dedicated safe space can alleviate our personal barriers.

When I asked Rashed how one can reach out to the Nook, he explained in detail: “Students can book an appointment using the QR code on our social media or walk in during Nook hours. Currently, we have Nook hours on Mondays from 3 to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m., behind Baraha.” It is important to note here, that there will be additional timings later in the semester.

REACH’s Instagram — @reach.nyuad — has a linktree with all the services available.

I came to learn that at the Nook we can expect someone who will listen to us and be present for us. The Nook is not just about sharing negative thoughts; it is also about discussing anything that is on our minds.

This also led me to consider how students could currently use the services at the Nook – more particularly, what is exactly plaguing our own thoughts recently: the midterm season is one of the more obvious answers. As deadlines are piling up, as well as the stress of achieving a good grade for all of our classes to set a strong foundation, students often end up experiencing burnout without realising. Which, if we do not acknowledge, can do more harm than good.

REACH does indeed take notes of students’ mental health rapidly changing during these exam seasons, therefore, they organize popular events such as Doggy Destress, which as the name suggests is an event during which students with upcoming exams are able to ground themselves by petting and interacting with dogs on the Highline.

However, in the hustle and bustle of attempting to balance our academics, we often neglect our physical and mental states, so I thought to ask what some of the common signs of burnout that REACH looks out for in students are, and how they address them.

Rashed let me know that, “We look for signs such as an urgent need to prove oneself, working excessively hard, neglecting personal needs, depersonalization, and feelings of emptiness or despair. We navigate these feelings with students without judgment and can refer them to a student success coach or counselor if needed.”

As exam seasons peak, some of us may not see our friends, and focus on studying. However, when we do find the time and notice signs of burnout (even if they haven’t realized it themselves), it is important to spend time supporting them in a way that works for them.

This naturally led me to ask, “In your experience, how can friends support each other when it comes to burnout?”

Rashed replied, “If you notice signs of burnout in a friend, gently bring it up and show concern. Encourage rest and self-care by advocating for breaks or suggesting stress-relief activities. Studying together can help manage workloads and time effectively.” He took a pause, “Providing emotional support — validating their feelings, listening without judgment, and offering encouragement — is crucial.”

He also added that “If necessary, promote professional help by encouraging them to seek assistance from counselors or reminding them of available resources like the Nook.”

It is easy to make mistakes, but what matters most is that we take positive and productive steps that allow us to progress and excel in our work. REACH provides a space where we can go with our issues, and they will do their best to help us navigate those concerns.