It is not uncommon to experience burnout as a student. With weekly assignments, exams, and studying various subjects. School and burnout go hand in hand. While burnout is common among college students there are tactics to help manage and reduce burnout. Burnout is a reoccurring feeling throughout the school year, but there are changes students can make to lessen its effects. Before the start of the semester, it’s important to be able to recognize burnout to prevent yourself from experiencing it. Burnout gets better the sooner you address so don’t let it get in the way of you having a good semester.
What is Burnout?
As defined by Merrian-Webster burnout is “exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration.”
When a person experiences burnout tasks feel like when they used to feel simple, for example, looking over homework may feel like a mountain of work and you may struggle to focus and get it done.
Symptoms of Burnout
Leaving burnout unaddressed leads to symptoms of fatigue, difficulty sleeping, declining mental health, and health issues like high blood pressure. For students, it’s not uncommon to have trouble focusing during class or on assignments when they’re experiencing burnout. Making it key to recognize the symptoms of burnout to address them early on before they get worse.
Common Symptoms of Burnout:
- Feeling exhausted no matter how much sleep you get, resulting in fatigue and insomnia
- Inability to concentrate on school work or lectures
- Increased pain and tension in your body, which can be manifested as headaches, sore muscle aches, or jaw tension
- Lacking inspiration and creativity to bring to projects and class discussions
Combating Burnout
When you’re in school, burnout is a reoccurring theme throughout the school year. Feeling overwhelmed and exhausted doesn’t have to be the end all be all. There are steps and strategies that can be implemented to keep burnout at bay.
Prioritizing Tasks
As a student, you’ll often find yourself with a long list of tasks. Prioritizing tasks helps you stay on top of tasks without feeling overwhelmed. Because you are breaking them down by level of importance and then tacking them section by section, Start each week with a to-do list, then separate the task into three categories. The first category is “must-do” tasks. These are highly important tasks and must be completed as soon as possible. The next category is the “should do” task. These are tasks that are important but don’t need to be tackled right away. Lastly, the last category is “could do” tasks. These are tasks of low importance and do not need to be completed immediately.
Try Monotasking
It’s a common belief that multitasking is an effective way to get things done, but on the contrary, multitasking is less valuable than we think. In most cases, it contributes to reduced productivity overall. So instead o multitasking that may result in reduced productivity that leads to stress. Try monotasking instead. One way to monotask is through the Pomodoro technique. By focusing on a designated task for a set time. For example, with the Pomodoro technique, you’ll spend 20 minutes monotasking before taking a 10-minute break.
Healthy School-Life Balance
As a student, it’s important to have a healthy school-life balance to combat burnout. Set up your schedule with equal parts school and fun or social activities. It’s not uncommon to be torn between juggling a heavy courseload, managing relationships, and responsibilities, and squeezing in outside interests. It’s important to make time for YOU during the semester. When you have a healthy balance you are better equipped to deal with stress and negative feelings.
Take a step back
When you start to feel overwhelmed with school. Take a step back and look at your school situation as a whole. Ask yourself, if you have chosen the correct field, school, or program. Think through what is causing your stress, then look at different ways to lessen stress. This could include taking online classes that give your more flexibility. Even reducing the number of classes you’re taking during a semester. School can be a lot to take on, and comes with a heavy workload. There’s no shame in lightening the load so it’s manageable.
Seek Help
As a student, you don’t have to deal with burnout alone. It’s key to remember that if you start to experience burnout you can always reach out for help. Connect with your instructor and let them know what’s going on, or with the mental health services offered on campus. They’ll be able to provide you will tools and resources to help lessen the stress of school.
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