What To Do About Burnout?  

We are reaching the point in the semester where many college students are feeling their motivation slip and their exhaustion rise. The University of Georgia describes burnout as, “a chronic condition, not to be confused with being tired after a long study session, but rather the culmination of many months or years of studying the same topics.” 

You might be burned out if you find yourself consistently fatigued, no matter how much rest you get, lacking motivation to work on or even start assignments, or if you find yourself unable to meet important deadlines.  

So, you have some burnout. What are you supposed to do now? 

 The university does offer many services to help with burnout, including different workshops around campus or even The Counseling Center. There are also some things you can do at home to manage your burn out!  

Of course, there are all the usual tips and tricks. Make sure you are eating healthy, going to bed around the same time every night, and exercising. It is true that all these things will help you, but it is also good to include a few minutes out of every day for leisure.  

Reading, playing video games, and watching your favorite TV show are all activities that are good for decompressing. These hobbies are known as “intellectual hobbies” as they generally require your brain to do some work.  

 However, it is helpful to engage in hobbies that require little less brain power, especially in the face of academic burnout. Going for a walk, meditation, or listening to some instrumental music while working on arts and crafts are all great ways to give your brain a rest and prevent academic burnout. Moving your body but not your mind is a proven way to lower stress and maintain retention after a long day of studying. Plus, movement is also helpful for ensuring you get a good night’s rest, which is something generally affected by burnout.  

It is important to note that burnout is different from depression, as burnout is a result of chronic stress. Treatments for depression often are much more comprehensive, and if you think you may be experiencing some depression, especially as the days are getting shorter, it is important to reach out for help.  

Burnout is usually tied to specific roles or responsibilities and can often be improved through reducing what is demanded of you and allowing yourself to rest. If you are neurodivergent, burnout can also be an impact of additional factors, like sensory overload, changes in routine, and having to meet specific social demands. It may take a little longer for those who are neurodivergent to recover from burnout, and there may be additional steps that you need to take to prevent it in the future, however there is a solution and ways for those who are neurodivergent to work through and overcome burnout.  

Depression on the other hand affects nearly every aspect of your life and does not go away from taking a simple break. There are many resources for students who are facing depression both on campus and off campus. It is important, especially as we roll into the winter season, to reach out if you find yourself struggling.