Welcome back, advice lovers. If school stress has you counting down the days until spring break, this week’s column is for you: We’re covering burnout, job-hunting anxiety and that one friend’s boyfriend nobody can stand. As always, if you have a question I didn’t answer, submit it to this anonymous form, and I’ll help you out.

My roommate has been dating a guy that none of our other friends like. I don’t think he’s a good person, and we all hate the way he talks to her. Since they started dating, they’ve been hanging out almost exclusively in our living room, which means I have to see him every single time I leave my room. He also comes to all of our social events, and I’m honestly so sick of being around him. How do I bring this up to my friend and tell her I miss girls-only time without offending her?

The best approach to these kinds of conversations is to frame them around the use of your shared space, not as a reflection of your feelings about her boyfriend. It can be frustrating to have someone in your home all the time who doesn’t live there, and it’s completely valid to ask for some no-guests time so you can feel comfortable without a stranger around. Sharing these feelings with your roommate as a living preference request is less likely to put her on the defensive than an attack on her boyfriend’s character, however warranted that may be. It also sounds like you miss spending time with your friend one-on-one, which makes a lot of sense if you’re feeling like she’s only around when her boyfriend is there. Make an effort to schedule some social events that include just your immediate friend group; that way, there’s no expectation that her boyfriend will be invited, and you’ll be able to spend some time together without being bothered by his presence.

Lately I’ve been so incredibly busy with work, school and all of my activities that I’ve been feeling like I don’t have any time for myself. I haven’t seen some of my close friends in weeks, and I’m really starting to miss them. I don’t think I’m burnt out yet, but it’s starting to feel like doing anything that isn’t work doesn’t have a place in my schedule. 

If you’re not feeling burnt out, that’s great, but it sounds like your level of commitment isn’t sustainable for the next few months. When you’re incredibly busy, it can be easy to feel like taking time for yourself isn’t an option, but a constant cycle of work with no relaxation is a quick way to exhaust yourself. Treating this time as nonnegotiable can be really important when you’re feeling overworked — take a minute to find some time every day where you’ll stop working and do something that makes you happy, whether that’s reading a book for 30 minutes before you go to bed or scheduling more dinners with your friends. Regularly setting a small amount of time aside guarantees that you’ll be able to see those friends you’ve been missing lately and can take some of the stress away from an overwhelming schedule.

I don’t have a summer internship yet even though many of my friends do. I’m starting to get super anxious with every rejection email I get, and it’s having an impact on my self-worth. 

It can be really stressful to feel like everyone around you has their plans decided when you’re still figuring things out, but an internship or job doesn’t determine your worth or future success. Finding a job can be incredibly difficult and competitive, and it’s important to separate this from any reflection of your own ability. While it’s normal to feel overwhelmed when you open up an email with bad news, remember that it’s only February! You’ve still got plenty of time to find a great opportunity, so take a minute to breathe and remember that your abilities go far beyond what’s reflected in a job application.

Caroline Brown is a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences. This is the tenth installment of her column “Calling in With Caroline.”