How To Avoid Mental Burnout During Remote Learning

So many of us are plastered to a computer screen attending hours upon hours of Zoom classes. You may get tired and, maybe, even bored. You may also feel like your brain is slowly being fried from all that information. I’ve been there a good amount of times and it can feel like the end of the world for anything fun or exciting. However, going through the motions is not the ideal way to go through school and to do well in classes. There has to be a balance of everything as with many aspects of life! Here are some tips to get you started on finding that balance during remote learning:

   1. Find a Passion and Foster It

You may be wondering, what can I do besides school in quarantine? For me, I like to brush up on my sketching and draw anime characters to get my artistic juices flowing. Seeing the finished drawing gives me a sense of satisfaction because I put in a lot of time into something I enjoy. I also like to challenge myself by creating a video edit based on an idea I previously brainstormed. Even something simple as coloring, doing a puzzle, learning the lyrics to a new song you like, or writing down your goals for the coming months is a small step in letting your mind breathe for a bit.

   2. Spread Out Assignments

So here you are having that mountain of assignments all due tomorrow. How did you get here? Did you forget to put these assignments in your planner? Time really does seem to fly when you have a lot to get done. Try to block out certain days for heavier assignments and readings so you don’t have to feel overwhelmed and cram everything in one night. As an English major, I like to read ahead of time for some classes, so I’m able to dedicate enough time and energy for all my other classes. I don’t think the average student is taking twenty units like I am, but taking the TIME to make TIME for your assignments will ease the tension.

   3. Consider Your Priorities

Are you in a lot of clubs? Are you wearing yourself thin with a lot of activities that are leaving you drained by the end of the week? Maybe it’s time to consider narrowing down what really matters to you personally and academically. Being the club vice president and also doing three other clubs because you want to try to do everything at once is not necessarily the best idea. There is always time to build leadership and foster collaborative relationships even beyond college. Take on what is best for you and your overall well being!

   4. Weigh In On Your Academic Workload

Is school literally “weighing” you down? Reconsider the amount of classes you take each quarter. There’s no race to fit everything into one academic year and spacing out classes can be one of the greatest reliefs! You can decide what classes are interesting to you while still taking your required courses at the same time. You can also finish assignments for some courses ahead of time so you won’t have to worry about them later on. One of the ways you can do this is spend a day finishing maybe three to four assignments for a few classes so you will be able to relax during the week.

   5. Try Fun Zoom Sessions

Zoom university doesn’t always have to be bland and serious! Try to form study groups with people you meet so you are able to connect for upcoming projects and assignments. Spice things up by reviewing material in a fun way through games and other creative ideas you come up with. One of my personal favorites is Kahoot. 

Outside of school, you can also plan a virtual zoom party for a friend’s birthday or even act out some of your favorite scenes from a favorite movie with friends!

Learning virtually doesn’t always have to be a constant stressor. I hope that some of these tips help lift your spirits during this crazy time!

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