Busy but balanced: Beating academic burnout

Do bees sleep? They're always on the go, so it's hard to imagine, right? They fly from one flower to another, barely landing on one before they're off to the next. Students are a lot like our honey-hive-having little friends. You may feel like you're constantly on the move, buzzing from one thing to the next, barely having any time to slow down and just 🐝

What is burnout? 

Stress and burnout are different. Stress is like that voice in your head that screams when something needs to be done. "AHHH! I've got a paper due." Burnout is the byproduct of hearing that stress-voice too loudly for too long. Stress reminds you what you need to do; burnout makes it feel like those things are undoable. 

Academic burnout definitions vary, but all agree it's unique to students who have to juggle the responsibilities of school on top of life's normal stressors, things like personal relationships, work, and physical well-being. 

What does burnout look like?

If you spot the problem early, you’ll be in better shape to stop it. Some of the most common academic burnout symptoms include:

• Feeling tired all the time 

• A new lack of interest in studies

• Feeling easily angered

• Increase in soothing behavior like chewing nails or fidgeting

• Inability to meet deadlines

• Increase in feelings of self-doubt 

Beat burnout with these 6 simple strategies 🧘 

Whether you're preparing for college or you're ready to wrap it up, these six tips can help you learn how to avoid burnout. 

1. Stay organized: Academic burnout thrives on a lack of organization. How much stress could have been avoided if you'd written the assignment down in your planner or put the due date in your phone? When you're not organized, you're forced to react to things on a daily basis, which can zap your energy quickly. If you put your energy into creating effective systems of organization, you won't have to spend as much when the semester really gets going. 

2. Make a to-do list: Making a list is one essential tool in your organizational toolbox, but it's much more than that. A well-made to-do list can be an anxiety repellant. You may feel like you've got a million things to do, but when you list out your tasks, they often seem more manageable than they did in your head. Trying to keep up with everything in your head sounds good, but when the stress-voices start talking, they echo. Making a list quiets those voices.  

3. Schedule your study time: You've probably spent days dreading doing the laundry or sweeping the floor. Sometimes, things that only take 10 minutes can feel overwhelming because you’re putting off starting. Scheduling study time provides clear boundaries, which are super important for not letting school take over your life. When you've planned and set aside time to complete an assignment, you reduce your stress. 

4. Do things you enjoy: The effects of academic burnout can spread into other areas as well, tempting you to spend less time doing the things you enjoy. This creates an unhealthy cycle. You're exhausted, so you nap instead of going for a walk or hanging out with friends. But when you spend less time doing the things that reduce stress, you increase the likelihood of academic burnout. 

5. Be content with your best by avoiding perfectionism: As you're planning your schedule and study time, it's unrealistic to think you can maintain a high level of focus and attention to detail all the time. Besides, this level of perfectionism fuels academic burnout. Instead, prioritize your most important assignments or projects. 

6. Know thy self:  Knowing your tendencies, stressors, and strengths will guard against burnout. If you know you study best in the morning, you're less likely to schedule your study time at night. Do you work best alone or in groups? Consider keeping a journal so you can track what works best for you. It doesn't have to be complicated...something as simple as a note on your phone will work. 

Remember your 3 “Ws”: Keeping motivation high 🏆

Chances are good you started the year with high spirits, but before long, you're stuck in the weeds again. These techniques can help you maintain motivation when it starts to feel like it's too much. 

• Remember when: Remind yourself of times in the past when you've felt overwhelmed but managed to survive and even thrive. Academic burnout can make you feel like you're going nowhere, so it's good to think about where you've been. 

• Remember why: Academic burnout can make you ask, "Why am I doing this anyway?" Your motivations are unique to you, but you have to know what you want. Consider some ways to remind yourself of your motivation. Are you studying to get into a good school, learn new skills, or improve your future job prospects? Whatever your motivation, don't forget it!

• Remember where: Find a tangible way to remember where your work is headed. This can be something as cherished as a picture of a loved one or as flashy as a model of a sports car you're going to own when you've finally "made it." 

Building a balanced academic life 💪

You can take the cliches about "giving your studies 110% of your attention" and throw them in the trash next to that empty energy drink. Academic burnout feeds on those cliches. You're not a brain on a stick. You're a whole person with academic, social, physical, financial, and emotional needs. Remember to follow the advice of healthcare professionals! Doctors suggest getting four to five days of exercise per week, while dietitians recommend eating a diet that's marked by balance, variety, and moderation.

Building toward the future 

If you feel like you're flying from one thing to the next, you could be buzzing toward academic burnout. Ask yourself if you're seeing any of the classic burnout symptoms. Use the strategies laid out above to guide yourself through the hard times. Finally, remember to find balance as a whole person with a variety of needs.

For more helpful tips, visit the Greenlight blog, which offers a ton of resources to help you live your best, balanced life.