Academic Burnout: Everything You Need to Know
Written by Anna Wang
What is Academic Burnout?
Academic burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion that is caused by prolonged stress.
Stress vs. Burnout
While burnout can be the result of stress, too much stress and burnout are not the same. Here are some differences between the two:
Stress: loss of energy; there is usually an end in sight; over-engagement; can be aware
Burnout: loss of motivation and hope; a cycle of negative emotions; dis-engagement; not always noticed
Symptoms
Symptoms of academic burnout are much more than just feeling tired. It can cause problems such as depression and insomnia, which is why it is important to take steps to recovery as soon as you spot these symptoms in yourself or others.
Some symptoms of academic burnout are:
Difficulty sleeping
Increased irritability and lashing out at others
Lack of motivation to attend classes or start assignments
Poor concentration and focus
Lacking creativity to bring to projects
Inability to meet deadlines
Increase in bad habits such as pulling all nighters, overeating, nail biting, etc.
Feelings of anxiety and/or depression
Loss of interest in school and extracurricular activities
Loss of enjoyment in daily activities
Feelings of being overwhelmed and unable to keep up
Feelings of failure
How to Prevent
Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent burnout in school, such as:
Live a healthy lifestyle: exercise regularly, maintain a nutritious diet, spend time outdoors, and get enough sleep
Make time for enjoyable activities: make time to do things you love! It doesn’t have to be something big, but setting aside time for you to relax can help you feel motivated and ease stress
Avoid procrastinating: manage your time by keeping a calendar and making sure your tasks are reasonable. Sometimes, you will have to say ‘no’ to commitments that you don’t have time for, and that’s completely okay!
Make time for social activities: connect with others and build/maintain friendships
Take a step back: acknowledge your feelings and look at your situation as a whole
Setting reasonable goals: be realistic about what you can accomplish with the time you have. Remember to not take on too much and that not getting a perfect grade is okay
How to Recover
When left unaddressed, academic burnout can develop into problematic health issues that impact an individual’s wellbeing. Luckily, there are steps students can take to reverse its effects.
Recognize symptoms: don’t ignore symptoms and acknowledge them
Seek help and support: from a health professional, guidance counselor, friends, family, or teachers
Setting time aside everyday: to relax, and recharge yourself
Make changes: to your schedule to establish a healthier work-life balance
Remember, academic burnout develops over time. Naturally, recovery will take time and commitment.