Other university campuses are almost deserted by now, but not Wageningen. Photo Resource Period 5 is notorious among Wageningen students. While other universities are on the countdown to the summer holidays, students at WUR are still hard at work — despite the temptations of the sunny weather plus the packed events programme fuelling your FOMO. Read how these students deal with their ‘Wageningen burnout’ and get some tips from study adviser Annemarie Teunissen.
‘That lab coat is a bit depressing’
Anne Jonker (22, Netherlands), first-year MSc student doing Molecular Life Sciences: ‘When I was doing my Bachelor’s, Period 5 was really busy for me with nine-to-five days. Once summer is in sight and the weather improves, you want to be outdoors doing fun things. So it’s a bit depressing when you have to don long trousers and put on your lab coat. Fortunately, now I’m doing my Master’s I was able to plan for this: I’ve elected to only do one course this period, with classes three mornings a week.’
‘Lecture rooms are virtually empty’
Hylke Willemsen (20, Netherlands), third-year BSc student doing Nutrition and Health: ‘I remember last year the lecture rooms were virtually empty during Period 5 on sunny days. We had a lot of guest lectures back then and each guest lecturer would start by asking “Is this it?” when they saw how few students there were. There would be like nine of us for a course supposedly with 140 students. Personally, I was motivated to go because I thought: if I go now, I won’t get behind in the lectures, I won’t need to catch up so much and I’ll be able to go home in the weekend and have nothing hanging over me on Friday afternoon.’
‘I like being busy’
Ties Dankert (19, Netherlands), second-year BSc student doing Communication and Life Sciences: ‘I love Periods 3 and 4 because then I can focus completely on one subject. In Period 4, I started a committee position in Ipso. I also play volleyball to a high level. Period 5 is basically when you get to the decisive part of the volleyball season. My experience is that if that goes well, I don’t feel so stressed. But the reverse is true too. How do I manage? Well, I like being busy.’
‘I just want some rest’
Lauryn Kroon (19, Curaçao), second-year BSc student doing International Development: ‘At the start of Period 5, I was really feeling: leave me alone, I just want some rest. Going out every Thursday night, doing exams with a hangover on Fridays and resits — you can’t keep it up. Followed immediately by a long period with loads of group assignments… Going to campus? Girl, I did not go. I initially saw myself as an academic weapon, but in the end I only went to one lecture in my specialization courses.’
‘Four-year Bachelor’s could be the solution’
Alex Alvasez Boato (19, Spain), first-year BSc student doing International Land and Water Management: ‘In Spain, the academic year ends in June. On the other hand, Spanish Bachelor’s degrees take four years. I don’t think Wageningen students really enjoy their studies in this final period. They’re so tired in those final months and they just want to enjoy the sun. I think a four-year Bachelor’s programme could be a good solution, although it would mean a big change.’
‘Everything runs together’
Coen Kruik (25, Netherlands), first-year MSc student doing Biotechnology (after seven years on his Bachelor’s): ‘I found Periods 5 and 6 so hard-going during my Bachelor’s, with everything running together and those courses that last half a period — you lose your rhythm a bit. I really want the summer to come. This period feels like the last lap. It’s weird, though, that you’ve still got the resits after that. I’m currently involved in an AID committee for Unitas. I know committee members from other societies keep this period free because otherwise it gets too much.’
Study adviser: ‘It can add up to a demanding routine’
Annemarie Teunissen, Biology study adviser and skills trainer for Student Training & Support: ‘I hadn’t heard the term “Wageningen burnout” before but I can see why students call it that. Bachelor’s students in particular often have some tough courses in Period 5 with quite a lot of practicals. That means long days on campus. Master’s students have somewhat more freedom to arrange their own study programme as wished. They are also more experienced in dealing with what I see as the main problem: how to combine your studies with all those fun summer social activities that you want to do but which can also be very tiring. Especially after quite a long academic year, it can all add up to a demanding routine. I suspect teachers and other staff members have a similar experience: the work that has to be completed before the summer, plus all those drinks receptions, weddings and end-of-year dos you’re invited to.
My tip for students is to be willing to make choices. Think about what is important to you and go for that, but don’t try to do or go to everything. Find a good balance between doing fun stuff and studying. And make sure you save enough time for yourself — don’t wait until you’re on the point of collapsing. If you no longer feel able to figure it out after a long academic year, you can always discuss things with your study adviser. It’s often easier to set priorities together rather than on your own.’
Text Marieke Enter, Tijmen van Ooijen and Philip Timmers
