Have you noticed a decline in your typical levels of drive? Tension and weariness increased? Feeling less motivated and original in your schoolwork? If you have been having any of these issues, you may have a case of academic burnout. This type of burnout is a genuine ailment that may be diagnosed and treated if you take the appropriate measures. However, recognising that you have a problem and making a serious effort to change your ways are necessary to overcome academic burnout. In fact, it is something you can overcome and learn to avoid in the future. With that in mind, let’s dive deep into the topic of academic burnout and how to recognise and cope with it.
What Exactly Is Academic Burnout?
In general, academic burnout is when you experience tiredness, frustration, a lack of enthusiasm, and a decline in academic performance. This term encompasses the adverse emotional, physical, and mental reactions to extended periods of study or other academic activities. Academic burnout often comes as the result of consecutive years of learning or working on the same content over the course of many weeks or months. This type of burnout is most common in nursing majors or “downstream” programmes such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and health professions, all of which require extensive, memorisation-heavy training.
Signs of Burnout in the Classroom
There is more to academic burnout than just feeling tired and not wanting to attend class anymore. It’s important to take action against burnout as soon as its symptoms appear, as prolonged exposure can lead to real psychosomatic problems like headaches, insomnia, and depression. Some common warning signs of academic burnout include:
- Lack of motivation to attend classes or complete assignments.
- Loss of faith in one’s academic abilities.
- Inability to focus on schoolwork or lectures.
- Anxiety or depression symptoms.
- Feeling tired, regardless of how much sleep you get. In turn, this can result in fatigue and insomnia.
How to Prevent Burnout in School
According to experts at Consumer Opinion, recognising even one of the signs we have mentioned is a warning that you need to take action. They also advise that the sooner you recognise the issue, the better chances you’ll be able to solve it without the negative effects that can kick in. Failing to do so can quickly lead to academic burnout. That said, if you have a demanding semester or degree programme ahead of you, you may be concerned about burnout and want to take measures to avoid it before it ever begins.
Several minor adjustments to your daily schedule and habits can help you avoid academic burnout. Get some rest on the weekends and celebrate your time off. If possible, modify your calendar so that you may take at least one day off per week. Spend as much time as possible on vacation or relaxing at home during school breaks to properly recharge your thoughts. The following are some of the things you can do:
1 Make Time for Fun Activities
And not only on weekends! Fill your schedule with activities you enjoy doing throughout the week, and you’ll feel more inspired to begin your school days. This doesn’t have to be a huge commitment; even 15 minutes a day doing something fun can make all the difference in your mindset. Find new hobbies or ways to enjoy existing hobbies that you may have forgotten about during your busy work or school days.
2 Get Plenty of Physical Activity
Try to exercise at least three times per week, stay hydrated, and eat properly to keep your mind and body active and healthy. It’s been proven that physical activity reduces stress, making it easier to stay motivated and productive at school. This does not have to be a strenuous workout. A peaceful walk is another excellent option. Spending time in nature has been shown in studies to reduce stress levels, so spend some of your free time outside!
3 Schedule Social Activities
Friends and family not only provide a good support system. Spending time in enjoyable social settings can make you happy and give your mind a rest. Plan something enjoyable with friends, such as a movie night or a meal out together.
4 Establish Reasonable Goals
Setting reasonable goals is critical if you want to avoid burnout. As a result, try not to overload yourself with work. That said, you also need to understand how to manage the work you do have. To do this, you can create a calendar and regular reminders to keep yourself motivated to meet deadlines.
5 Take a Step Back
Take a holistic view of your circumstances in school. Consider whether or not you’re on the right career path, academic programme, or school. Is there a different course of action you might take to bring this closer in line with your goals and aspirations? Many Universities offer fully online degree programmes that are flexible enough for working adults. You may find that this type of study better accommodates your schedule.
6 Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is just as crucial for students as it is for employees. Make a timetable that includes both education and leisure or social events. And don’t forget to make time for yourself. Although it may seem counter-intuitive, taking time away from work can be a great way to relax and recharge your batteries. Therefore, consider setting aside time for other activities you enjoy, such as going to a book club or spending time at the beach with your family.
Seek professional assistance
While changing up your schedule and going out for a jog can significantly benefit someone going through academic burnout, it sometimes may not be enough. In these cases, the best course of action is to talk to a guidance counselor, mental health counselor, school counselor, or psychologist. And the best thing is, you can do so from the comfort of your own home. In fact, online therapy has gained such popularity in recent years that it’s very easy to find and talk to licensed experts online. You can also get help from people like family members and instructors.
Conclusion
Hopefully, now you have a better understanding of academic burnout and how to recognise and cope with it. Most people don’t see that they are burnt out until it’s already too late. Therefore, remember to pay attention to the signs as early as possible so you can take steps to overcome the problem before it worsens.
