Feel that academic burnout creeping closer? Here's how to minimise end-of-semester exhaustion

Written by Eliza Wright

That time of year is upon us. You can see that end of semester finish line ahead of you, but the mountain of assignments, quizzes and deadlines makes you wonder if you’ll ever actually cross it. If you’re all too familiar with this feeling, no need to worry- here’s how to tackle it. 

Identify the signs early

Burnout refers to the experience of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion as a result of high levels of persistent stress. As a result, you may be feeling overwhelmed and have a real lack of energy. There are several signs to look out for that may not be obvious at first.  These include, but are not limited to:

• Feeling the need to drag yourself to work or school

• Feeling defeated by tasks and having difficulty concentrating on them

• Loss of motivation and high levels of procrastination

• Loss of sleep or exhaustion no matter how much sleep you get

• Feeling cynical about achieving tasks

• Dread that your responsibilities are never-ending

• Short-tempered

Below is a fantastic video highlighting some symptoms of burnout:

Prioritise 

A simple way to minimise the feeling of burnout is to take a step back and determine the tasks you need to complete and create an actionable plan to get them done. This may be in the form of a simple to-do list or through using a calendar outlining the task, requirements and set deadlines where applicable.

When making your list of priorities, it is essential you learn the difference between urgency and importance. Stress becomes heightened when you feel as though all your tasks must be completed instantly.  Use your judgement to decide what is actually critical and what tasks can wait. This means being able to say no to things that you simply don’t have time for, or you don’t consider important.   

Ask For Help

Burnout can sometimes feel isolating but there’s nothing wrong with reaching out to our network for some help. Your support system is your biggest asset so make sure you utilise them. They can be fantastic at helping you prioritise your time, providing an ear to listen or help take your mind off things.

Make Time for The Things You Love

In these times when you feel a mound of pressure on you, one of the best ways to recharge is to make time for hobbies, catch-ups with friends and anything else that brings you joy. Remember that while university and work are significant elements of your life, they aren’t the be-all and end-all.