According to a survey given by the Sentinel Sun on our Instagram (@sentinelschoolblog), 62% of students perceive that they have experienced academic burnout. Contrary to popular belief, academic burnout is actually a diagnosable condition that can be treated.
Academic burnout can be defined as “a negative emotional, physical and mental reaction to prolonged study that results in exhaustion, frustration, lack of motivation and reduced ability in school.”
Rather than a pointed, immediate effect, such as tiredness after pulling an all-nighter or frustration after studying for many hours, academic burnout is a chronic condition resulting from prolonged work or schooling. For example, many weeks or months of studying the same material or working on the same project may result in academic burnout.
Common Symptoms
Loss of confidence in academic abilities
Feeling exhausted no matter how much sleep you get
Lacking motivation to attend classes or start assignments
Lashing out at others
Incapability to meet important deadlines
Increased pain and tension in your body like headaches or jaw tension
Increase in bad habits like overeating, staying up too late, nail-biting, etc.
Inability to concentrate on schoolwork or lectures
Feeling bored or uninterested in aspects of school or areas of leisure that you used to enjoy
In addition to this, researchers found that burnout causes “students to experience a lack of confidence regarding their future.” Subsequently, students develop negative attitudes about the meaning of life and may be pushed to break their ties with their future; “depression, as an important consequence of burnout, is found to relate to a decrease in positive future expectations.” This is specifically important for high school students whose decisions could have an impact on their future (however, this is not always true).
Although the symptoms of academic burnout may be perceived as laziness, it’s important to remember that it is a real condition that one cannot always control. There are, however, preventative measures.
Preventing Burnout
1. Create healthy habits and build a routine that includes drinking water, exercising, eating healthy food
2. Develop stress management strategies using a planner or agenda
3. Practice self-care, like ‘me time’, listening to music, or being creative - even just 30 minutes a day can go a long way!
4. Remember it’s okay to say no, in relation to paid work or additional commitments
5. Remember it’s okay to ask for help, and that asking for help is human, not indicative of failure!
6. Set aside time for what makes you happy. Figure out what "fills your tank" and make sure you build time for it into your schedule!
Recovering from Burnout
1. Seek help from school counsellors, parents, teachers or a therapist
2. Recognize symptoms and make changes to your schedule
3. Don’t ignore symptoms, they can’t improve if they are not addressed
4. Manage stress by setting aside time to decompress
5. Make important changes, such as mindful breathing, eating, socializing, and practicing a better work-life balance
As academic burnout is a chronic problem, recovery could take time and commitment, so it’s important not to give up.
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