Balancing studying with socializing, work, and family responsibilities can be overwhelming for the best of us. Often times, we overextend ourselves, creating stress; and when we neglect taking care of ourselves, over time, we may feel burnt out.
The experts at PubMed Health say continuous stress and pressure to excel may be the root cause of burnout.
Symptoms include:
- Feeling mentally exhausted
- Lack of motivation
- Feeling depressed
- Reduced productivity
- Difficulty concentrating
- Anxiety
If you’ve felt any of the symptoms of college burnout, there are some simple things you can do to feel better.
Get help
The PVCC Counseling office can help identify causes and solutions to burnout so you can feel more energetic and in control.
Remember your purpose
Why are you in college? Is there an exciting career you are pursuing? Are you looking to make more money than a non-college grad can typically expect? Do you want to have more opportunities? Whatever your reason, remind yourself of your ultimate career purpose.
Visit the Learning Success Center
The LSC is a great resource that can help with tutoring, academic coaching, workshops, and more.
Take care of yourself
A healthy diet, adequate sleep, and regular exercise have all correlated with having more energy, being happier, and feeling smarter.
Talk with others
Talking with people you know, love and trust can unburden yourself of lingering and self-defeating thoughts.
Say “No”
As the saying goes, “If you want to get out of a hole, you have to stop digging.” Learning to say “no” to constant requests or favors can help you stop making things worse.
Time is on your side
Use a calendar or planner to keep track of all of your commitments. Set deadlines. Prioritize your time so you get done what is most relevant to your goals.
Take a break
Don’t forget to have fun and allow yourself rewards for all of your hard work.
Turn off electronics
Sometimes going dark on social media or turning off your phone while you study may be just what you need to refocus on your most important goals.
Have realistic expectations
Sometimes we bite off more than we can chew. Sometimes we feel pressure to be perfect. We need to review our expectations and align them with the reality of the situation. We can always increase our expectations in the future when the situation changes.
Need more tips and advice, make an appointment with a PVCC counselor. We’re located in the first floor of the KSC Building, Room KSC1220.