College life is considered by many as the most thrilling stage of their lives. It is usually associated with students having fun and staying carefree. But unfortunately, today, students are more affected by burnout than they have ever been before.
Student burnout refers to exhaustion and the negative reaction of students to various external factors. Burnout can have highly adverse effects on students leading to physical and mental breakdown, frustration, academic underperformance, and in few cases, depression.
A majority of student burnout cases today are owed to the fierce competition resulting in high academic and co-curricular expectations from college students. Highly demanding schedules, expansive curriculum and strenuous assignments all contribute to students’ stress.
Besides, social factors such as managing friends, relationships, finding and managing accommodation, financial stipulations, etc. also contribute to the stress which accumulates over time, resulting in student burnout.
A major concern with burnout is that most students who find themselves in such situations do not necessarily realise that they are suffering from burnout. One of the main indicators is that they find themselves unable to keep up with numerous day-to-day activities such as lectures, assignments, exam preparations, etc. They become devoid of motivation and are overwhelmed by their daily routine.
So, what do you do if you find yourself in such an indisposition? How do you cope with student burnout?
Student burnout is a genuine problem and if you feel like you are being affected by it, here are some ways on how you can deal with it:
1. Plan and develop a healthy routine
Having a well thought out daily plan in place helps bring order and discipline in your life. This is very important for ensuring you efficiently manage all your work, classes, commitments and everything important. A proper plan must also include healthy habits such as eating timely, and setting aside time for physical activities and leisure.
2. Prioritise your tasks and activities
Everyone seems to have a lot on their plate most of the time. So how do people manage to do all of them without suffering from burnout? The answer, most of the time, is simple – prioritise! When you try to manage too many things at once, your mind gets convoluted and begins to stress. So, before you undertake a bunch of tasks or activities, take a step back, analyse which ones to complete first and which ones can wait, and then do them. You’ll see the difference.
3. Share your problems
One of the biggest mistakes that students make when they face burnout is keeping their problems bottled up. This creates more stress within themselves and further aggravates their problems. Always remember to share your troubles with someone who you believe can genuinely help you – it could be a parent, a friend, a relative, a professor, a counsellor or anyone that you can trust. Sharing will not only allow them to help you find a solution, but it helps unload a huge weight off your mind.
4. Relax, breathe and give yourself mental peace
Whenever you find yourself in a stressful situation, always take a step back and give yourself time to compose. Never rush into anything. Every problem that you face will have a solution, all you have to do is give yourself the chance to find it. Never overwork yourself and always give your mind breaks between long periods of work or studies. Try to find time to indulge in mentally relaxing activities such as yoga and meditation or just having fun with your close friends.
Although student burnout is a real and serious issue prevalent amongst students today, it can be controlled and overcome with the right guidance. It is important to find ways to keep your minds as stress free as possible and not let yourself get overwhelmed by what is going on around you. In extreme cases, you can always seek professional help to help you overcome burnout. Always remember that your mental health is very important.
