A for Anxiety: How To Deal With Burnout

Gone through a rough patch? No mood for creativity or hard work? If your day is a struggle now, then this article is for you.

Burnout?

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Burnout? 〰️

Are we getting a lot more menty b’s lately? Found yourself exploding in the safety of your bedroom, or worse, in front of your lecturers and friends? Even in poly, we are gaslighted into thinking the workload is less intense (reality: it’s not). Many of us have gone past our limit to uphold certain standards and expectations. Sooner than later, we may crash out without even realising it. 

Photo Credit: Pexels // Yaroslav Shuraev

The truth is, academic burnout cannot be magically cured with a pill. Oftentimes, it takes weeks and months to make a person feel whole again. Here are some tips to help you control and even live alongside burnout. 

1. Set reasonable goals

Rome wasn’t built in a day. Assess your learning stage and note down on a planner what you can realistically achieve by the hour. Set personal deadlines to give yourself breathing room and gradually build your progress. After all, who knows you better than yourself?

Photo Credit: Pexels // Mart Production

2. Avoid Procrastination

Set aside any distractions like mobile phones that will pull you away from your headspace. I recommend the digital software Notion to keep track of daily tasks – and that click to declare a task finished can be so satisfying.

Photo Credit: Pexels // Yan Krukau

3. Create time for enjoyable activities 

Don’t let stress and work take the fun, unique pleasures out of you. Schedule time for your favourite activities and hobbies - bonus if you walk and bike outdoors for fresh air!

Photo Credit: Pexels // Helena Lopes

4. Build and connect with a support system

Things aren’t as scary when you don’t have to go through it alone. Keep your besties and fam on speed dial when you need someone to support you through your challenges. 

Photo Credit: Pexels // Phil Nguyen 

Move over, straight A student ideal. We are now exposed to raw, honest discussions of students’ detrimental mental health. Burnout, whether academic or not, is part and parcel of life and to coexist with it can be a powerful skill to have.