What is burnout? 

Burnout is marked as extreme emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion as a result of prolonged or neglected stress. Although burnout is typically associated with work settings, it can also occur in caregiving roles, school, parenting, relationships, or any other personal responsibilities you may take on. I want to note that burnout is universal, and not one individual is immune to it. It takes a lot of discipline and self-reflection to overcome burnout, and I'm still trying to conquer it myself. 

In this blog, I want to discuss burnout among university students, as juggling academic, social, and personal responsibilities can be extremely difficult for some, especially while in university. I’ll also suggest some tips that have helped me navigate burnout. Fair warning, though, this is still a learning curve for me!

Why is burnout prevalent during university? 

Personally, when I was on the cusp of burnout, one thing was certain: I was stretching myself too thin. I took on too many responsibilities that I couldn't handle in the time I had. I wanted to be involved in everything and be great at everything I did. What I didn’t realize was that I wasn't excelling in the things that mattered most to me. Along the way, I wasn’t performing as well, nor was I feeling fulfilled with what I was doing. It’s as if I lost my motivation, and I ultimately felt a lack of control over my own life while pursuing my goals. 

My experience with burnout may be familiar to you as well. If you're a student, you’re probably dealing with a combination of intense academic pressure and an overwhelming workload, all while you’re trying to adapt to university life, and it’s easy to lose yourself in the process. Students often experience increased responsibilities, distance from support systems, financial pressures, and the need to manage their own schedules. 

In university, many students adopt maladaptive coping strategies, often avoiding their mistakes and criticizing themselves rather than taking proactive steps to address them. And when you combine that with the inadequate support they may then have, burnout is bound to make its appearance. 

Things to look out for if you or others are experiencing burnout 

There are several signs to look out for when you or others may be experiencing burnout. Often, they are characterized by energy depletion and exhaustion, along with reduced task efficiency. 

Exhaustion/chronic fatigue:

People who experience exhaustion often report feeling low on energy, very overwhelmed, and tired. They may also experience physical symptoms, including colds, headaches, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal problems. Insomnia, or difficulty falling asleep, can also occur when your mind is pre-occupied with something overwhelming, as can happen with someone experiencing burnout. 

Distance from social life:

With increased responsibilities, you may often neglect your social life, reducing time spent with friends and family to make up for time lost to other tasks.

Reduce performance/productivity:

When we go through burnout, we undergo reduced performance. That’s one of the main things I went through while in burnout. Completing both simple and difficult tasks was a challenge, as I found myself struggling to concentrate and lacking energy, which ultimately led me to take longer to complete them. 

Experiences symptoms of depression:

While undergoing burnout, you may feel negative towards yourself and others. You may also experience increased irritability, impatience, feelings of defeat, and a sense of being trapped. 

As I mentioned before, burnout can be exacerbated by a stressful lifestyle. When you notice someone who may seem exhausted, empty, and overwhelmed, it may be due to burnout, and it's best to find ways to support yourself and those who may be struggling. Burnout doesn’t just go away on its own. If you do not acknowledge it and take the necessary steps to manage it, you will continue to feel constantly overworked and under pressure, often experiencing conflict with others and neglecting your own needs.

Ways to overcome your burnout    

Overcoming burnout is no easy task. It requires rest, setting boundaries, and making adjustments to your current lifestyle in order to regain your physical and mental energy. 

I know it may be difficult to reduce some of your responsibilities, but it may be the best course of action. Considering it's often the number of responsibilities you put on yourself that can play a significant role in your burnout. For those reasons, it’s critical to start by setting more realistic, manageable goals for yourself so that completing tasks becomes more achievable without affecting your performance. That could mean reducing some of your extracurriculars by taking a small pause until you're recharged, for example. As for setting boundaries, you want to define clear limits with your personal and academic time, which could mean stopping all work at a specific time. 

One thing I did to build healthier habits and reduce burnout was to prioritize sleep and practice mindfulness, including meditation and exercise. Also, I cannot stress this enough: please rediscover your hobbies! I now make it my priority to make time for my favourite hobbies. Even if it was for a short period of time, I would try to read a book or bake. Engaging in things that you enjoy can really uplift your mood and energy. It’s almost like a good, healthy balance while in university. I don’t think many students in university actually know how to take breaks, and that includes me. So it’s really important to start setting aside time for your leisure activities. 

Another suggestion I strongly recommend is to lean on any supports, including friends, family, and mentors. Reaching out to those who care for you and talking to them can make a huge difference, helping you feel less isolated in your busy life! 

Now, I do want to preface that what works for me may not work for you, so it's really important that you look into and experiment with ways to navigate your hectic schedule. I’m still taking this day by day, so you’re definitely not alone. Good luck!