We have finally reached the midpoint of the semester when the air gets cooler and the workload becomes heavier. Countless hours spent in the library, on the computer, and in a classroom become daunting and overwhelming, making it difficult to see an end in sight. It’s easy to fall down a rabbit hole of an endless work cycle, unable to step away from the desk without a feeling of guilt and lacking productivity. These are times we must take a moment to step back and evaluate priorities. We should evaluate ourselves and our happiness and take action toward avoiding burnout.
Close the Laptop
As students, we are constantly staring at our computer screens: typing essays, watching lectures, completing assignments, and consuming media. These actions alone can become extremely draining and dangerous to mental and physical health. Something I struggle with is understanding that I don’t need to constantly be doing something. I’m allowed to take breaks. I’m allowed to sit outside without technology enjoying the fresh air and landscape around me, and I’m allowed to get more than eight hours of sleep. Eliminating distractions from taking breaks, such as technology, can do wonders for avoiding feeling drained and overworked.
Spend time with family and friends
Blocking out time to be around people you feel comfortable with has many benefits to maintaining positive emotional health. It offers a safe space for me to open up about things on my mind in an environment free of judgment or hate. I also feel I laugh the most around people I love, and can always count on my peers to cheer me up in times of sadness. Being around people also allows a temporary distraction from the workload and other school-related responsibilities that hang over my head during the week.
Treat Yourself
Apart from giving yourself breaks, treat yourself! Eat that ice cream you’ve been craving all week, take that Rec Center class that makes you feel strong, finish your Netflix show you’ve been putting off for a month. You cannot expect yourself to succeed in academics if you aren’t making time for things you enjoy. It is amazing how much of an impact small things can have on your day and how little it can take to make someone smile.
Sleep
It is impossible for our bodies to function without an ample amount of sleep. I can admit firsthand that this is something I struggle with and do not prioritize. I will constantly put homework and extracurricular activities over my sleep schedule and have felt the negative impacts this has on my motivation, work ethic, and energy levels. In order to have a clear mind and be able to make the decisions that are best for my mental health, it is essential to be well-rested.
Make a list
Sometimes it’s important to remember why I’m doing what I’m doing. When things get chaotic, remembering my goals and aspirations can bring me back to reality and put me right on track. There’s a reason I go to college, take classes, participate in extracurriculars, and work two jobs. As crazy and stressful as it gets, I live for it. There are certainly times I’ll think to myself, “Why do I put myself through this?” until I remember my goals and dreams. I like to keep a list of my reasons for continuing to work by my bed to wake up to every day, and I encourage you to do the same.
It can be extremely difficult to cope with burnout and anxiety, but I want to make it crystal clear that no one is in this alone. There are ways to combat these overwhelming feelings through self-care and leaning on our loved ones. We are not perfect. We will make mistakes, have low moments, and feel bad about ourselves at times, but it’s how we pick ourselves up and continue that matters most.
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