Struggling with Academic Sluggishness? These Five Strategies Could Reignite Your Energy and Improve Your Performance
Combating Academic Burnout: A Guide for College Students
As the academic year progresses, many students may find themselves feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. Here are some strategies to help combat academic burnout and maintain a healthy balance throughout your college experience.
Establishing Healthy Routines
Regular sleep and wake times, scheduled study periods, and meal planning can help create structure and reduce overwhelm. By establishing consistent daily routines, you can improve mental clarity, emotional balance, and physical health[1][4][5].
Effective Time Management
Using planners or digital calendars can help you organize tasks, prioritize assignments, and avoid last-minute cram sessions. This not only lowers stress but also improves academic performance[4].
Stress-Relief Breaks
Short activities like deep breathing, journaling, or walks can help you reset mentally during demanding school days[1]. It's important to prioritize self-care and set aside time for relaxation activities such as meditation, baths, or leisure outings to reduce physical and mental tension caused by stress[4].
Limiting Screen Time
Establish "phone-free" periods, especially during study times and before bed, to improve focus and sleep quality[1].
Maintaining Balanced Nutrition and Hydration
Eating balanced meals and staying hydrated supports overall well-being and stress resilience[5].
Staying Organized
Keeping your workspace tidy and tracking assignments helps prevent anxiety related to disorganization[4].
One-on-One Meetings and Support
One-on-one meetings can help hold students accountable and provide specialized support. If you are struggling beyond a bad week here and there, it is important to reach out for support from professionals[2]. McGraw offers one-on-one academic consulting, and the Writing Center is available for help with papers. Office hours can be used to ask for help with assignments and long-term study strategies. Princeton's Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) offers professional help and urgent consultations[6].
Prioritizing Tasks
Learning how to prioritize tasks effectively can help manage workload and prevent burnout. If you are procrastinating all work because you are really dreading one small assignment, it might be beneficial to start working on a task you are more excited about[3].
Grade Management
Refer back to the course listing on the registrar website for a big-picture look at how your grade will be weighted. Not every assignment needs to be perfect. Most professors will list the grading distributions for assignments in the syllabus.
Outdoor Activities
Spending time outside during the day can be a good way to relieve stress. Taking roundabout routes to class can turn an ordinary walk into a mid-day break.
Enjoying the Break
This article serves as a reminder to enjoy the break this week. Remember, it's okay to take a break and recharge.
These strategies can help you build resilience against burnout by improving mental clarity, emotional balance, and physical health throughout the academic year[1][4][5]. By incorporating these approaches into your daily routine, you can bounce back from any potential signs of burnout.
During demanding college days, setting aside time for activities such as deep breathing or walks can serve as stress-relief breaks, helping to reset your mind [1]. Moreover, prioritizing your tasks effectively can help manage your workload and prevent academic burnout [3]. This includes learning to prioritize tasks, ensuring that less daunting tasks are completed first, and possibly starting with tasks that excite you more [3].
