The Burnout Blues

Unfortunately, student burnout is currently in full swing. Right after the relaxing and rejuvenating fall break comes the no man’s land between now and finals. It’s a time when you need a few more alarms to get up in the morning. A few more breaks within the day. A few more reminders to get things done. 

Right now, it feels like the days drag and the weekends fly. But then comes the inevitable Sunday night, where all that work you procrastinated comes back to haunt you. We’re caught in a constant game of catch-up with sleep, with work and with every little task we’ve been putting off so far this school year. It starts to build up, making it more difficult to stay afloat. Burnout makes us do desperate things. We see those deadlines, and we want to respect them, but they become less and less realistic. 

It's hard to choose where to put your energy right now because it feels like we can only accomplish the bare minimum. To the people that have been with me since my very first Edge article, “It’s Time to Make a Change,” how’s that change in your life going? Are you staying strong, or did you fall out of routine? It’s understandable to cut yourself a little slack right now; sometimes we have to let some things go to hold onto what’s important. Whatever that may be, don’t let this slump deter you from your semester end goal. 

We promise we’re not going to complain about burnout this whole time since it's a feeling we all know a little too well. So instead, it's time to strategize how we’re going to get from now until at least Thanksgiving break. Let’s just… call our moms? Here’s what we’ve been able to conjure up… 

Step one: take it one thing at a time. It can be overwhelming and disheartening to look at the big picture. Sometimes, you just have to lay out what’s in front of you, and spend less time worrying and more time executing. There are a few ways to organize your responsibilities. Perhaps starting with the smaller things to get you warmed up or working chronologically. There’s a lot on your plate right now, and you’re going to have to divide it up somehow. 

Step two: do what you can. Working to the best of your ability is better than giving up entirely. Time constraints and low energy sometimes elicit low quality work. But, holding yourself to the idealized standard of your past accomplishments is an uphill battle. The goal is to motivate yourself, not make yourself feel worse. 

Step three: be communicative. Whether that be with your bosses, your professors or your friends, chances are that they are feeling overwhelmed too. But, how can you work with them instead of against them? Everyone around us is just as human as we are, so give others as much grace as you’d like to receive. 

Step four: harness the good moments. Whether it be trying a new form of self care, rewarding yourself with a treat or spending quality time with friends, there are still plenty of good things happening in your life. Look for new and exciting things, and let those good moments motivate you to push through. 

Obviously, these cheesy tips and tricks are not going to magically make this feeling pass. But instead of dwelling in it, we hope these strategies can help you ease up, empathize and remember what is important. It’s time to ignite that tunnel vision and keep your eyes on the prize.