As the semester comes to an end, we all feel the burnout looming over our heads. It is important to get ahead of this curve and finish the semester well. While this may feel daunting, here are some tips and tricks you should try.
TIP ONE: Stay grounded
When things start to feel overwhelming, it is easy to let this distract us from what is important to us. It is important to stay grounded in whatever you believe in. For me, I find that turning to my faith helps recenter me and remind me of the truth I believe in. Sometimes the pressure of a deadline makes us feel like we need to do the work or study first, but even taking 5 minutes to reorient and ground ourselves before we start our day can make a huge difference.
TIP TWO: Take time for Fun
As we feel deadlines encroach and tasks pile up, the first thing we cut out is the time we give ourselves for fun. This, while it feels logical, will only increase the burnout we already feel. If you are not setting aside time in your schedule to do things you enjoy, you will find it more difficult to power through the things you don’t. This can look like taking a walk to get a fun drink between assignments or meeting up with a friend for a 30-minute game of basketball, but make sure the fun is still happening.
TIP THREE: Treat yourself
Sometimes, all we need to motivate us from a monotonous or unappealing task is a little treat! There is no shame in getting yourself a fun drink, or snack, or even some ice cream, to help power through a paper or reward yourself for an hour of studying. Figure out what you are craving and use it to your advantage.
TIP FOUR: Organize & clean your space
I have a friend who is always saying that your space is a reflection of your mental state. If you are feeling a little down or like life is hectic, consider resetting your space. Clean your room, organize your desk, clean out your bag, and put away the things piling up on your floor. You’ll be amazed by how refreshed you feel. (If not, at least you have an acceptable task to help you procrastinate for an hour or 2.)
TIP FIVE: Create a homework plan (& stick to it)
A great way to set yourself up for success and feel on top of your work is to create a plan for completing it. For me, this looks like a post-it listing all of the assignments I want to do each week, along with their true due date, so I know what I can push if I need. For others, this could mean breaking up studying pages to study for an exam or completing an assignment each day. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you stick to it, or you set yourself up to get further behind, which can compound the stress and burnout you already likely feel. Having a plan can help your brain relax, knowing you are on top of what you have to do.
TIP SIX: Get plenty of sleep
Honestly, a lot of things can be solved by a good sleep. It can help increase work quality and efficiency. Many people will start cutting back on the hours they sleep in order to work more, but then their work quality suffers, and it takes longer because their brain is processing more slowly. Sleep is also one of the quickest ways to relieve stress. Many times, when tasks feel too big or overwhelming, taking a moment to rest can give you the boost you need to power through. Overall, enough sleep is vital to your mental and physical health.
Tip SEVEn: have a good cry
Sometimes, when you are about to crash out, actively crashing out, or feeling like a crash out may be necessary, the most productive thing is having a good cry. Feel all the feelings and then move on to the task or day at hand. As long as you don’t sit in that sad too long, it can’t hurt.