It is clear that stress and college go hand in glove. Juggling the academic demands of attending class, completing homework assignments as well as writing papers and projects can prove difficult, even for the best students. Add to that other responsibilities such as work or study, and it can all become overwhelming. As the stress increases, many students lose sight and balance their work-life balance. They eventually fall into a state called academic burnout.
What Is Academic Burnout?
Academic burnout can be a serious condition. It is not just about feeling exhausted from working long hours or tired, but also involves being depleted from pulling an all-nighter. Academic burnout, which is not as common as feeling tired or stressed, refers to a prolonged period with decreased motivation, lowered performance and negative attitudes towards others.
What Causes It?
Academic burnout can be caused by working at a high level, until stress and strain, especially prolonged mental or physical exertion, or an overburdened work load, takes their toll.
What Symptoms Are There?
It can be difficult to identify whether students are suffering from academic or other symptoms of burnout. Students experiencing burnout don’t stop at breaking point. Instead, they push through their exhaustion. Over time, the detrimental effects of burnout can alter an individual’s functioning. Burnout can lead to a loss of interest in social activities, physical health, or overall well-being.
You or someone you know is experiencing academic stress. Be aware of these signs. They could indicate burnout, or other potential problems with your mental or behavioral health.
* Mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion
* Trouble sleeping
* Physical symptoms such as headaches and stomach aches, heartburn, stomach pain, muscle aches.
* Poor concentration and inability focus
* Constant worry and restlessness
* Feelings like you’re failing, or being overwhelmed.
* Increased irritability
* Doubting the past goals and relationships
* Losing interest or enthusiasm in extracurricular and/or social activities
* Suffering grades
* Trouble meeting deadlines
* A lack of motivation to do everyday tasks
* Loss in enjoyment of daily activities
* Feeling anxious, depressed, or lonely
* Negative coping strategies such as excessive alcohol/drug consumption, overeating, or the like
Tips To Avoid Academic Burnout
It is possible to avoid academic burnout. By integrating thoughtful strategies into college life, students can create and maintain a healthy work-life balance. These are some steps students can take to reduce academic pressure.
* Leading a healthy lifestyle This includes exercising regularly, eating healthy food, drinking plenty water, getting enough sleep, and spending time outside.
* Practice self-care, taking frequent breaks to rest the body and recharge the reserves to maintain momentum over time. Use college homework help websites when you are too tired to make it yourself.
* Making it a priority to engage in social activities so that you can connect with others, and build/mainten relationships.
* Having reasonable goals as well as being realistic regarding what they can do, is a good idea. It’s okay to not get an A or B in a class.
* Engage with classes and participation in activities that are rewarding and interesting to them
* How to manage time efficiently. By keeping a calendar, planning ahead and recognizing times when they might be stretched thin. Prioritizing tasks and setting priorities. Also, making sure you stay on task with the work.
* Self assessment by taking time out from their busy lives to notice how they are feeling and to scan for potential signs of stress.
Recovery Tips
Academic burnout can quickly become a serious problem that has a negative impact on all aspects of a person’s health. However, students have the ability to take action to prevent academic burnout from becoming a serious problem. Students must first identify if they have been under stress or are coping in unhealthy manners. Next, they must take the time to reset and reflect about their situation. The importance of:
* Recognizing the symptoms and not ignoring them
* Searching for support through friends, academic advisors, college help centers, and counseling services
* Develop a planby identifying and addressing the source of stress at every level.
* To decompress every day,to relax, recharge, and rest the mind and body.
* Assessing their situation and making the necessary changes to reduce stress and to reestablish work/life balance. This could include reducing commitments, click here to see the most popular options.
Student with severe mental illness may need to seek additional assistance from qualified mental healthcare professionals. We can help you if you have questions about your health or the well-being of someone you love.