diff --git a/public/js/admin-reservations.js b/public/js/admin-reservations.js
index 16c79f6..b6791f8 100644
--- a/public/js/admin-reservations.js
+++ b/public/js/admin-reservations.js
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ function filterAndDisplayReservations() {
                             <i class="bi bi-x-lg"></i><span class="btn-text"> Reject Return</span>
                         </button>
                     ` : reservation.status === 'APPROVED' ? `
-                        <span class="text-info"><i class="bi bi-check-circle"></i><span class="btn-text"> Item Loaned</span></span>
+                        <span class="text-success"><i class="bi bi-check-circle"></i><span class="btn-text"> Currently Borrowed</span></span>
                     ` : reservation.status === 'RETURNED' ? `
                         <button class="btn btn-secondary" onclick="archiveReservation('${reservation._id}')" title="Archive Reservation">
                             <i class="bi bi-archive"></i><span class="btn-text"> Archive</span>
diff --git a/routes/reservations.js b/routes/reservations.js
index 7452220..b5a0346 100644
--- a/routes/reservations.js
+++ b/routes/reservations.js
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ router.post('/', auth, async (req, res) => {
     }
 });
 
-// Update reservation status (admin can update any, students can only mark as returned)
+// Update reservation status (admin can update any, students can only request returns)
 router.patch('/:id', auth, async (req, res) => {
     try {
         const reservation = await Reservation.findById(req.params.id).populate('userId');
@@ -108,19 +108,25 @@ router.patch('/:id', auth, async (req, res) => {
         // Check authorization
         const isAdmin = req.user.role === 'admin';
         const isOwner = reservation.userId._id.toString() === req.user._id.toString();
-        const isReturning = req.body.status === 'RETURN_PENDING';
+        const isRequestingReturn = req.body.status === 'RETURN_PENDING';
 
-        if (!isAdmin && (!isOwner || !isReturning)) {
-            return res.status(403).json({ 
-                message: 'Not authorized. Students can only request return of their own items.' 
-            });
-        }
-
-        // Additional validation for students
-        if (!isAdmin && isReturning && reservation.status !== 'APPROVED') {
-            return res.status(400).json({ 
-                message: 'Can only request return for approved items' 
-            });
+        // Students can only request returns on their own approved reservations
+        if (!isAdmin) {
+            if (!isOwner) {
+                return res.status(403).json({ 
+                    message: 'Not authorized. Students can only request return of their own items.' 
+                });
+            }
+            if (!isRequestingReturn) {
+                return res.status(403).json({ 
+                    message: 'Students can only request returns, not change other statuses.' 
+                });
+            }
+            if (reservation.status !== 'APPROVED') {
+                return res.status(400).json({ 
+                    message: 'Can only request return for approved items' 
+                });
+            }
         }
 
         const item = await Item.findById(reservation.itemId);