For a college student, the term “burnout” has likely crossed their path before; usually in the context of something to be avoided as conscientiously as possible. Burnout itself is commonly presented as something tedious, yet does not broadly come with a surefire definition attached to it, generally representing a set of feelings regarding an extreme lack of motivation.
According to Psychology Today, burnout itself is defined as a state of mental, emotional, or physical exhaustion, typically resulting from extended or repeated stress.
Burnout is unfortunately prominent in college students’ lives, as this time period revolves around responsibility, deadline, and discovery. In order to most successfully avoid the chance of becoming “burnt out” – perhaps experiencing intense fatigue, a change to sleep and eating schedule due to stress, and feeling unable to complete work – consider the following personalized approaches to maintaining a healthy and balanced routine while at college.
Practice Engagement on Campus
Whether this action looks like taking an elective in an unfamiliar subject or joining a club, the small step of providing oneself with the opportunity to explore something new is influential to remaining stimulated. If exhaustion is looming, try taking note of when it begins to affect you throughout the day and make a change to your schedule to combat it if possible.
Refine Study Habits
Establishing strong time management skills is a crucial component to remaining organized and productive while in college. Practice writing out tasks on a calendar, determining which will require prioritization, and setting goals for the day. Visualizing tasks in this way is useful for determining which will need to be completed that day and which will not.
In addition to planning, set aside time for breakfast, which can be completed simultaneously to planning your agenda, to begin the day with both a healthy mindset and a healthy meal.
Become Comfortable With Saying “No”
If you believe you may be exhibiting signs of burnout or are close to doing so, remind yourself that it is okay to say no to that extra social event or commitment that does not require your participation. Setting time for yourself to accomplish what you must is a key component to balancing different aspects of college life. Prioritizing academic tasks and other responsibilities will also allow you to remain realistic about what you can accomplish as needed.
Have Manageable Expectations
Everyone is familiar with the feeling of under-performing at something they had planned to accomplish differently. When this happens, remind yourself that it is okay to miss a perfect grade or make a mistake, and learn to forgive yourself for those instances. Remind yourself that the people around you have experienced a similar feeling before.
Incorporate Self-Care
Whether this particular concept looks like taking a walk, reading, putting on a face mask, or simply taking a moment to pause, remain grounded in your intentions for the day and let your mind relax. Taking breaks is just as important as time spent completing your tasks!
Burnout and its symptoms can be persistent and intrusive, despite taking the aforementioned measures or similar ones. If you are having trouble moving on from that state of being, try changing up your study routine or location, reevaluating the ways in which you dedicate your time, or reach out to advisors, counselors, family, and friends for a different perspective on your unique circumstance.