Have you ever felt down and exhausted from a large academic load? You are not alone there! Although life in college is often exciting and fun, it can also be quite stressful and lead to anxiety. Today, with the heightened aspirations and intensified academic program, students’ life has become more stressful, and everyone in college feels it.
Sometimes, feeling tired and depressed because of a large number of lectures, information, and homework can simply mean that you need to take a break. In this case, you might want to go on a vacation or just take a day off from college and entrust all the homework to a professional online essay service. However, these might also be the symptoms of college burnout, and that’s when the issue becomes real.
If you have never heard of it before, the term “burnout” was first mentioned in 1974 by Herbert Freudenberger and then became a widely used concept.
This particular concept is defined as a feeling of exhaustion caused by studying that leads to a significant drop in students’ performance.
According to the study conducted in 2001, burnout has three dimensions:
- Emotional exhaustion
- Cynicism or depersonalization
- Reduced personal accomplishment
In the modern world, such an emotional state of a student is neither new nor rare. According to the study, 27% of all students attending the same university found the levels of stress they experience in college to be “beyond manageable.” These stats confirm that academic burnout is a pressing issue, and it is vital that young people know about it and learn to manage stress.
What Causes College Burnout?
Today, no more doubts are left about the negative influence of academic stress on students’ performance. High levels of stress cause anxiety, depression, and result in a drop in overall personal achievement illustrated by lower GPAs.
What makes college students feel this way?
In college, a considerable number of factors influence young people’s emotional state. First of all, they are forced to come out of their comfort zones and adjust to an entirely new environment. However, that’s not all. Here are some of the most common causes of burnout.
- Constant evaluations. According to the study by Alginahi, constant tests, assignments, exams, and other forms of academic evaluation force students to strive to perform at their best all the time, which puts too much pressure on them.
- Time constraints. Deadlines seem to be a regular thing for each of us. However, it was found that time limitations on different assignments are among the biggest causes of stress.
- Heightened aspirations. Most young people feel that they have to push themselves to the limit 100% of the time to do well at school and reach success in the future.
- Lack of free time. Insane academic load rids young people of free time for friends, families, hobbies, and even rest. A modern college or university attendee spends almost 100% of his time learning and has no chance to get rid of the negative emotions and stress accumulated in the process of studying.
- Financial problems. Last but not least, young people may experience academic burnout due to economic instability. Tuition fees are high, and scholarships are often hard to get, which only adds stress.
Top Tips to Prevent Student Burnout
As you now know, college burnout is real, and it can be tough to manage once you face it. Luckily, when you are well aware of the issue, there is a better chance of its prevention. How to avoid college burnout? Below, students can find an ultimate guide for avoiding this problem.
Exercise
It has been numerously proven that regular physical activity helps in reducing anxiety and improves well-being. This doesn’t mean that you have to work out several hours every day, but making a short sequence of exercise in the morning and keeping up high physical activity is a must!
Also, consider meditation. It is not widely practiced among students, but it is a great way to stay in an excellent mood, inspired, and relaxed!
Have More “Me” Time
Self-care is essential in every person’s life. It helps us stay in harmony with ourselves and relax. Thus, it is one of the most effective ways to avoid stress.
What kind of self-care to include in your daily schedule? The answer pretty much gets down to your personal needs. Everyone has a unique ritual of self-care. Just find something that feels right for you and helps to get relaxed.
Learn to Manage Time Wisely
Time management is an effective therapy against stress. Thus, students who have a specific schedule, keep up with their chores and tasks timely, and study for exams in advance are less likely to suffer from burnout.
To become better at time management, use a calendar or particular app to keep track of all deadlines, events, and other essential things. Also, don’t neglect the importance of planning your day in advance. This will help you perform tasks on time.
Be Realistic
In other words, do not expect to be the best everywhere and all the time! Remember that it is okay to make mistakes or get low grades. Strive for better, but don’t overestimate your possibilities.
Socialize
Many young people suffer from not being able to spend time with family and friends, which causes excessive stress. We encourage you to find time to socialize even when you are busy. Communication has a positive effect on your mood and wellbeing, which in turn contributes to better academic performance!
Wrapping Up
Though academic burnout can be called a frequent issue nowadays, we sincerely hope you will not fall prey to it. In case there are early signs, be fast to incorporate our tips and continue to get the most out of college experience.
