Burnout Isn’t Just for Teachers—Counselors Feel It Too

navytonurture

Apr 30

3 min read

It’s that time of year.

You know… the part where every adult in the building can tell you exactly how many days are left until summer break.

The teachers are exhausted. The principals are overwhelmed. The students? They are done.

And the counselors… well, we have it all together, right?

Yeah… nope.

At this point in the year, I’ve pretty much mastered the art of the “put-together smile.” I’m doing my best to give off positive, calm, supportive energy, but the reality is… I am EXHAUSTED.

I’m drowning in next year’s schedules. And not just schedules—schedule changes. The ones that were due a month ago. Oh, and let’s not forget the random student who just turned in their course request… the one that was due in February.

Meanwhile, I’m over here quietly chanting to myself: I love my job. I love my job. I love my job.

And the thing is, I really do.

My brain is full of ideas for next year. You know, the ones where I’m going to “fix” everything that didn’t go quite right this year. The motivation is there… the energy?

Not so much.

Meetings are piling up. Testing season is in full force. And my middle school students? They’ve officially hit that point of the year where friendships are falling apart, patience is gone, and everyone is just a little tired of each other.

Some students are starting to feel the nerves of heading to high school. Others are so excited they’ve already checked out of this year completely.

And in between all of that, I’m redirecting behavior (because let’s be honest, I can’t just walk by and pretend I didn’t see that), stepping into classrooms to help teachers reset the room, and supporting students whose emotions are running on overdrive.

Then I go home… and it’s time to switch roles and be mom to my own teens.

So the real question is: How do we keep showing up for our students when we’re running on empty?

For me, it’s come down to one word: boundaries.

I’ve started setting a designated time each day just for paperwork. I close my door, put up a sign that says “in a meeting,” and protect that time. No interruptions. No “quick questions.” Just focused work.

And guess what? Everyone survives.

The building does not fall apart during those 45 minutes to an hour. And I leave that time feeling more in control and a lot less frustrated.

I’ve also given myself permission to take a day off when I need it, and to remind myself that I am important, but I am not the only thing holding the school together.

For the students who need frequent check-ins, I’ve started scheduling consistent appointments. They know when they’ll see me, and it’s been a game-changer. Instead of constant interruptions, they write things down as they come up, and we talk through everything during our time together.

It gives them something to rely on, and it gives me space to breathe.