Burnout isn’t just something that high-flying executives have to deal with. It’s not even just something that people who are working full-time have to avoid. Burnout can happen to anyone, and college students can sometimes find that it affects them just as much as it affects the CEO of a huge global company.
Burnout comes from stress and exhaustion, and it happens when someone is trying to do too much over a prolonged period. The problem is that it can lead to a lack of productivity and mental health issues, and you might also feel as though there is no point in continuing with your education. Therefore, you’ll want to avoid burnout in college (and everywhere else) as much as possible. Read on to find out how.
Choose The Right School
Sometimes it isn’t the work you’re asked to do or the studying that has to take place that causes burnout; sometimes, it’s the fact that you feel uncomfortable in the school you’ve chosen. This is why it’s so important to pick the right school from the start if you can and use the acceptance calculator at CampusReel.org to better understand what you need to do to get a place there.
Doing your research as early as possible to determine the best school for your needs is well worth the time it will take you. However, if you do find that you are at the wrong school, there is no shame in leaving and applying elsewhere to start over; this is far better than burning out trying to do work you’re just not interested in at a school you dislike.
Learn To Say No
It’s easy to get caught up in the frantic hustle and bustle of college life, especially when you’ve just started and feel as though you want to prove yourself. This means that you might say yes to everything that comes your way, such as extra classes, partying, and perhaps even a part-time job. However, although all of these things are important, you do need to learn to say no if you need to.
Saying no will give you the breathing space you need to feel less stressed, so if that means avoiding a party for a few nights or only choosing one extra class and not three, that’s the best thing you can do. Work out what will be good for you and what won’t, and say no when it’s necessary for your mental health.
Focus On Time Management
As said, trying to do too much is a sure way to become burned out, so reducing your workload is a good idea. However, if you can’t do this because it’s necessary for your studies, you’ll need to look at your time management instead.
If you can organize your schedule better and ensure you split larger goals into smaller, much more manageable ones, you’ll feel less stressed and more in control. You’ll get all your work and study done, and you’ll have time for some – not all – of the other things you want to do. This will reduce the chances of developing burnout, and it will help you see how much spare time you really have.
