With exam season dawning on high school students, it is extremely important to prioritize one’s health to excel during this season.
The first step in addressing academic burnout is recognizing and acknowledging the issue, followed by a strong commitment to changing your current habits. With effort, you can overcome burnout and take steps to prevent it from recurring.
What is academic burnout?
Academic burnout is the response to prolonged studying-negative emotive, physical, and mental-that subsequently includes exhaustion, frustration, lack of motivation, and reduced performance. It is the result of months of continuous study or years of schoolwork and not as a result of occasional frustration or one-time exhaustion after long study sessions.
Symptoms:
- Exhaustion despite adequate sleep
- Lack of motivation for classes or assignments
- Increased irritability and frustration
- Loss of creativity and inspiration
- Decreased confidence in academic abilities
- Difficulty meeting deadlines
- Physical tension, like headaches or sore muscles
- Frequent illness due to stress
- Unhealthy habits (overeating, staying up late, etc.)
- Trouble concentrating on schoolwork
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
- Feelings of anxiety or depression
How to recover from academic burnout:
- Set Boundaries for Study Time: Limit study sessions to shorter, focused blocks with regular breaks to avoid overexertion.
- Incorporate Relaxation Practices: Try mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing or meditation, to reduce stress and regain focus.
- Reconnect with Enjoyable Activities: Spend time on hobbies or activities that bring you joy to recharge your mental and emotional energy.
How to prevent academic burnout:
- Exercise Regularly: Physical activity helps maintain both physical and mental health, reducing stress.
- Spend Time Outdoors: Nature has proven benefits for reducing stress and improving focus.
- Avoid Procrastination: Tackling tasks on time prevents stress from building up and avoids last-minute pressure.
- Improve Time Management: Being organized and managing your time effectively helps reduce stress and ensures deadlines are met.
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