Breaking the Burnout Cycle: A College Students Guide to Balancing Academics, Activities, and Well-Being

When I sat down to write this week’s blog, I was wondering what would be the most topical thing I could write about. Exhausted, worn out, and a bit upset, it hit me pretty quickly - burnout. This past week has been difficult for every college student, I’m sure. Between exams, projects, and reaching the point of the semester where most of us lose motivation, this week pushed the limits for many Miami students. And we’re not alone. According to an article written by Ashley Wallis, 85% of college students report being overwhelmed and 30% of students reported that stress negatively impacted their academic performance. Most of us feel burnout, but how do we prevent it? Here are some tips that I’ve researched this past week, and have begun to use in my college career.?

The first tip that I’ve researched, and one that rings incredibly powerfully to me, is learning how to say no. Having too much on your plate is a major cause of burnout. I have always been somebody who wants to do as much as possible, whether it be to push myself or appease those around me. I’ve dropped organizations, taken too many classes in a semester, and have tried to balance too many social circles. Some of us view doing too much as “overachieving” but in reality, it could be doing more harm than good. Making sure that you have time to recharge and decompress is key.?

Having good habits, especially study habits, is also very important to avoid burnout. Using time efficiently is not only important now, but a great life skill to have for the future. Speaking from personal experience, I am always most stressed when I feel as though I don’t have enough time to get everything done. However, planning out your day can make things so much easier. You don’t have to have a rigid schedule in place to see an improvement, but simply configuring how much time you’ll have to spend on an assignment/project can be a huge advantage. Plus, it will allow you to prioritize breaks and activities that allow you to reset.?

So, what do you do if you’re actively facing burnout? Southern New Hampshire University’s Nicole Rutherford recommends “mak[ing] some changes that leave you feeling more balanced and your responsibilities more manageable”. Try to evaluate the cause of your burnout - and nip it in the bud. If its an organization you’re involved in, try to plan around it in a different way, or drop it if need be. If its a class, do that class’s work at a time when office hours are available. If its a personal relationship, work on improving it. Much like anything else, there will always be a level of reflection necessary for improvement.?

Finally, utilizing the resources that Miami provides is a great way to conquer burnout. Whether it be reaching out to your academic advisor for tips on scheduling and classes, or students services for mental health advice, there are all sorts of tools that you can leverage here on campus. Even talking things out with your friends or family can be beneficial as they are your best support system. There are all sorts of people who understand what you may be going through. And, the majority of those people will be willing to help you. We are all in the same boat and we all want each other to succeed.

College is a tough time, and burnout hits everyone. Unfortunately, getting burned out is a fact of life - but, learning to deal with it now will make fighting it much easier in the future. So, power through - you’ve got this.

Sources:

https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/education/college-burnout?

https://nmu.edu/blog/dealing-burnout-college?