<![CDATA[This study examines the role of interpersonal communication as an adaptive strategy to reduce burnout among final year students at Dr. Soetomo University, Surabaya. Using an exploratory qualitative approach, this study involved five participants from various disciplines who experienced high academic stress due to the demands of their final projects. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically. The findings show that interpersonal communication plays a central role in reducing burnout through emotional support, emotional venting, reflective dialogue, effective communication media, and collaborative problem solving. Supportive communication from the inner circle, such as friends, partners, family members, and academic advisors, helps students regain motivation, regulate emotions, and strengthen psychological resilience. Conversely, ineffective communication characterized by judgment, inappropriate humor, or role imbalance tends to exacerbate stress levels. This study highlights the importance of interpersonal communication as a context-based non-clinical coping mechanism, offering practical and theoretical implications for the development of peer support systems, communication training, and academic mentoring programs. This study also emphasizes the need for educational institutions to create a supportive communication environment as part of a preventive mental health strategy.]]>
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