Going to school, like going to work, can be a high-pressure situation. We put a lot of expectations on ourselves to follow through and succeed. Nobody wants to take a class over, or to feel that graduation is further away than they would like. We want to understand what we’ve learned and revel in our competency; we don’t want to feel confused, incapable, or or frustrated by an inability to get things right. When too many of those little frustrations and failures pile up, they can lead to something big and serious: burnout.
What is Burnout?
Burnout is a state of pronounced stress and emotional existence that can happen at school or work. It’s not uncommon to feel some form of stress while studying. But if that stress is not alleviated or released in some way, it can compound and lead to burnout. When someone feels burnt out, their energy levels and ability to feel motivated drop to the floor. Completing tasks either feel insurmountable or pointless.
A confluence of factors go into triggering burnout: these can vary from too many tasks or responsibilities, a lack of preparation or insecurity in the work you’re doing, isolation from peers, and low feelings of personal accomplishment. To be burned out is to feel overwhelmed and unable to keep pace with what you’re doing. Think of it as the psychological equivalent of someone kicking wildly on the surface of water before they eventually sink beneath it from sheer exhaustion.
The Dangers of Burning Out
Burnout can impact you in several ways. On the academic level, it could lead to missed assignments, failed classes, an inability to retain what you’ve learned, or even dropping out of a semester’s worth of classes. Failing classes can have a negative impact on a student’s self-confidence, casting doubt in their ability to continue studies. When you factor in the time and money lost from dropped classes and having to retake them to resume progress, burning out can cost you dearly.
In addition to hitting your GPA and pocketbook, burnout can have lasting consequences to your physical and mental health. The effects of stress on the body are well documented: heavy stress could lead to higher cholesterol; increased risk of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease; insomnia; muscle pain; fatigue; a decrease in sex drive; and a weakened immune system, which can leave you susceptible to a wide range of other illnesses.
The psychological effects of burnout can lead to self-isolating, depersonalization, anxiety, shortened attention, depression, and a more fatalistic/cynical outlook on life. The extreme stress and apathy brought on by burnout could also lead to picking up “coping mechanisms” such as drinking, tobacco use, increased caffeine consumption, and substance abuse.
The Warning Signs
Burnout is a gradual process: it doesn’t happen overnight. If you pay attention to your daily habits, body, and mental state, you can notice the warning signs before it gets too serious. Think of these symptoms like indicator lights on your car dashboard: when they start lighting up, it’s time to do some maintenance.
- Physical exhaustion
- A disruption to your usual sleep routine (either sleeping too much or not nearly enough)
- An increased negative or cynical outlook on your life and/or schoolwork
- Feeling useless and/or incompetent when it comes to your studies
- A lack of focus on tasks—your mind keeps wandering off topic
- Difficulty with memorization; things aren’t “sticking” like the used to
- Stomach and/or bowel pain
- Frequent headaches
- Irritability or lashing out at others
What to do When You Feel Like You’re Going to Burnout
If you’re feeling burned out, ask yourself: what is source of your stress? Do you have too many classes? Is there one particular course with too high a workload at this time? Is it a time management issue? Do you have health issues affecting your ability to study and do schoolwork? Is your career or home life demanding more of time? Do you feel like you don’t understand what you’re learning and don’t know how to get caught up? Understanding why you feel like you’re behind the eightball is the first step toward getting out of the hole you’re about to sink into.
The next step is to talk to your instructor.
"If a student is struggling, they need to ask for help," said Counseling Faculty Co-Chair Melanie Abts. "Communication with instructors is the best way to keep a passing grade.'
If you feel you need more time for an assignment, ask for an extension. It’s better to ask for a few more days to prepare than to take a test or turn in a paper when you’re not ready. If you feel like you don’t have a firm grasp on the material, get their advice on what study materials or resources you should focus on to get up to speed. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of college tutoring services.
You may also want to adjust your study schedule. If you’re a procrastinator and tend to do a lot at the last minute, spread your workload over a longer period of time. Take the material in little sips of time instead of big, panicked gulps. This approach isn’t just easier on your mind and body—it’s also been proved to be more effective at memory retention. You can learn a lot in a very short time frame, but your brains tend to forget crammed material pretty quickly.
Another way to avoid burnout is to say no more often. Taking on too much too soon is oftentimes the leading culprit of burning out. We take on more commitments than we’re able to honor and the stress of not coming through breaks us. If a full-time school schedule is incompatible with your family/work commitments, go to school part-time. It’s better to take fewer classes per semester and graduate a little later than to take too many classes and burn out so hard that you don’t finish school at all.
“Set up a reasonable pace of taking classes,” said David Hall, Rio Salado’s director of Academic Advisement. “A part-time schedule is appropriate for most people employed full-time. It is better to take less classes and take a little longer to avoid burnout. Work with your advisor to come up with a plan and a consistent pace to complete your goal without burnout.”
One of the best weapons in the war against burning out is self-care. Don’t skimp on exercise! Physical activity is good for the body and a great way to burn off some stress. Use restorative practices like meditation, yoga, and even the occasional power nap to recharge your mental batteries. Take regular breaks during your studies and class time (when appropriate) to stretch, walk around, and clear your mind before hitting the books again.
If you need an outside perspective to help you get back on track, talk to a school counselor. They can give you advice and direct you to resources that can help you get out of this rut.
Article by Austin Brietta
For more of our Student Success blogs, check out some of our past stories: