As students, it is easy to become overwhelmed and stressed, from attending classes, doing internships, and starting new endeavors. Often nearing the end of the semester or final exams, students can experience burnout, which is a syndrome as a result of chronic stress that has not been managed carefully. While the World Health Organization considers this to be “an occupational phenomenon” it is evident burnout affects everyone from university students to career professionals.
Headaches/stomach aches
Fatigue
Loss of motivation
Helplessness
Cynicism
Self-doubt
These can develop for several reasons, from family pressure to succeed and demanding expectations from professors to overworking, not socializing and not getting enough sleep. Whether it is an internal or external factor affecting you, there are ways to minimize the impact and recover from burnout. So below are a few tips from our team:
Learn to say No
It can be tempting to add an extra opportunity to your resume experience, whether it is a research position, internship or even student organization, learn to say no. You don’t need to do everything all at once. Remember to assess the responsibilities you already have and be content even if it means letting go of an opportunity. Often students can be overly ambitious and take on too many roles which can lead to burnout later in the semester or year. This advice can even apply to friends, sometimes you need to take time for yourself so remember you don’t have to say yes.
Lean on your tribe
Give your sister a quick call or plan a surprise party for your mum, talk with family, friends and community members that are there for you. Stay connected to your tribe through the happy and sad times, be vulnerable in sharing your struggles and lean on them for help. Remember that it is okay to ask for help.
Acknowledge your accomplishments
As students there always seems to be this inherent need to strive for more, the best grades, the awards and the accolades, yet sometimes when that validation is not seen or given that affects personal mindset. Remember that your own acknowledgement is what matters most, so celebrate your accomplishments and recognize the product of your time and hard work!
Take time off
Of course you should take a break from studying for a long period of time, even when you are working, Breaks are mandatory. So when thinking about education most students have been in school for 12+ years and once you get to university, the additional few years of studying, test-taking can take a toll. Sometimes you might need to take a longer break. If it’s a year off or only a few weeks, taking time off to recharge is necessary to rejuvenate.
Sleep & Exercise
The most important aspects of basic well-being are often the most neglected. Sleeping and exercising are imperative for vitality so even if you need to set reminders, try to get 8 hours of sleep and exercise weekly.
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