Your alarm buzzes—again. As you pull yourself into the land of the living, the headache starts creeping in. You’re exhausted and the day hasn’t even started yet. You skipped the night out with friends to get some studying done, but it’s hard to remember what class it was for, let alone what you tried to memorize. Your phone lights up with messages and emails you’re not ready to deal with. You sigh, already feeling the weight of another long day of classes and cramming.
If this sounds familiar, you might be struggling with academic burnout. The good news? You’re not alone. In this blog, we’ll discuss what academic burnout is, common causes and symptoms, and how you can relieve it.
What Is Academic Burnout?
Academic burnout is what the World Health Organization defines as “a syndrome…resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” Stress is a normal and expected part of your educational experience. However, when that stress is at a high level for long enough, it can lead to more serious symptoms. These can include physical pain or discomfort, extreme exhaustion, and apathy.
Unfortunately, it’s a growing epidemic. Over 55% of college students experience some degree of burnout, and 20.5% of students report severe symptoms.
What Causes Academic Burnout?
Understanding the root of your burnout can help you resolve it. While no one has the same struggles, there are a few common factors among college students.
1. Constant Pressure to Perform
It’s no wonder students feel overwhelmed and exhausted when you take into account how much pressure there is to perform. Getting good grades is the key to not only graduating but also landing good internships and opportunities down the road.
This pressure is exhausting, especially after all the work it took to get into college. With so many people competing, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The feeling of imposter syndrome affects everyone from junior college students to Ivy League undergrads.
2. Packed and Overloaded Schedules
For many students, school is all they have to worry about. But for 39.6 percent of full-time students and 77.7 percent of part-time students, they’re also balancing a part- or full-time job. You’ve got work, classes, and homework; now add any extracurriculars, dating, or hanging out with friends, and you’ve got a schedule bursting at the seams.
3. Lack of Sleep or Rest
According to recent studies, more than 75% of students get less than 8 hours of sleep on weeknights. This lack of sleep leads to perpetual exhaustion and mental fatigue. Not getting enough sleep affects your memory, concentration, immune system, and mood. This is not only dismal during college but can affect your health in the long-term.
4. Fear of Failure or Perfectionism
As college applications and acceptance rates get more competitive, and as the comparison on social media grows, so does perfectionism. You may have the grades or got into your dream school, but when you’re comparing yourself to others, it’s hard to feel like you belong.
This pressure can make students push themselves to their breaking point, even if they are working harder than they have to.
5. Poor Work-Life Balance or Lack of Support
Getting through college can sometimes feel like running a marathon. The good thing is that there are things that make it easier. Support from friends or family can make a huge difference, and so can taking time to refuel. Scheduling time (even just 10 minutes) can help relieve stress and help you focus.
Signs of Academic Burnout
Burnout can manifest in several ways; here are some emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioral warning signs.
Emotional Signs
- Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or detached from school
- Increased irritability or mood swings
- Loss of motivation or interest in studies (even in subjects you used to enjoy)
Physical Signs
- Constant fatigue, even after a full night of sleep
- Stress-related symptoms like headaches, stomach issues, or muscle tension
- Insomnia or irregular sleep patterns
Cognitive Signs
- Trouble concentrating or remembering information
- Drop in grades or academic performance
- Feeling like your mind is cloudy or heavy
Behavioral Signs
- Procrastinating or completely avoiding homework
- Withdrawing from friends, social activities, or group interactions
- Skipping class or consistently missing deadlines
If any of these sound like you, it’s okay. Burnout can’t rule your life if you know how to deal with it.
How to Deal with Academic Burnout
Here are a few solid tips for taking control of your life and overcoming burnout.
1. Take a Step Back
It might seem hard at first, but the first step to healing is recognizing that there’s something wrong. Once you realize this, you can let yourself slow down and start improving things. Muscling forward usually prolongs the issues you face.
2. Reach Out for Support
You have people in your life who are ready and willing to help you. Take a minute and connect with friends, parents, counselors, or professors to talk about what you’re going through. They can be an active source of support or just help you not feel alone.
3. Set Small, Manageable Goals
Research shows that breaking up tasks helps people complete them. You’ve got a lot on your plate, and sometimes, it can seem hard to know what to do next. Identifying what’s most important and breaking those major tasks into smaller ones can help you tackle them.
4. Take Care of Your Body
If you don’t take care of your physical needs, everything else will suffer. Make sure you’re getting good food, enough water, and deep sleep. This will help you feel physically and mentally renewed when you get to a new day.
5. Find a Place That Helps You Recharge
Having a safe and comfortable living space can make a huge difference here. If you’re looking for a new place you can feel confident in, check out Wharton Rentals. Living off-campus can give you more privacy and space.
How to Prevent Burnout in the Future
College life is stressful, and it’s easy for that stress to get out of hand. Don’t let it turn into burnout. Here are a few tips to make that possible:
- Set Boundaries: Learn to say no! It really is okay if you don’t do everything.
- Create a Work-Life Balance: Schedule time to relax. A calendar can be a lifesaver for this. Just add your breaks like you would class time or homework.
- Seek Out Support: Keep your relationships strong. Spending time with friends and family builds a support system you can count on when things get tough.
You’ve Got This (Really)
College can be one of the most stressful times of your life, but taking time to slow down and reprioritize can help. If you’re feeling burnt out, don’t wait to get help. Reach out to trusted people and do things that bring you joy.
If your dorm room is adding to the anxiety, take advantage of Wharton Rentals’ stress-free off-campus housing. Browse our available properties and find a space close to campus that feels like home.
