If you’ve ever been a student, you know what burnout can feel like. But, it can be especially draining when you’re in college. When you overschedule yourself and begin feeling the stress of poor time-management, you feel like you could burst. However, these tips can help you or your kids avoid burnout in college.
“Self-care and stress relief work best when they’re a regular part of your schedule, rather than a coping response to being overwhelmed,” Tracie Yulie, the director of the Learning and Academic Resource Center at UC Irvine, tells Parentology. “Be sure to include time for breaks and fun activities that aren’t school-related. Strategies like mindfulness can also be very helpful, especially when practiced regularly.”
Services like the Learning and Academic Resource Center at UCI support students in developing their study skills, like notetaking and preparing for exams, through workshops and individual coaching. Yulie also provides training and outreach programs to campus partners while creating time to meet with the students individually to provide coaching. This kind of on-campus support, which gives students the tools they need for success, can also battle burnout.
Avoid the Feeling of Burnout
While not all schools provide programs or resources like this, Yulie says there are other ways to help destress. For example, what if your child is still feeling overwhelmed?
“Reach out!” Yulie suggests. “Talk to a friend, or seek assistance. [Look for outside resources] that can provide support, ideas, and even self-assessment, like wellness, counseling, and learning centers.”
Overscheduling Can Lead to Stress
“Everyone experiences stress of some kind and some low-level stress can even be motivational,” Yulie explains. Transitions and new responsibilities in college introduce new stressors.” Other ways to avoid stress or overscheduling include:
- Start with a solid foundation of healthy school-life balance (healthy diet, relaxation, exercise, regular sleep schedule, and time with friends/family).
- Make time to plan goals that are measurable and realistic for you.
- Check-in with yourself, so you can recognize when you’re feeling out of balance when stress has reached an unhealthy level.
Time Management Isn’t Easy
Successful time management isn’t an easy skill to learn. Most of the time, it’s a game of trial-and-error.
“Time management is a life-long skill, and many students think they’re not good at it,” Yulie says. “What this usually means is students managed well enough in high school without adhering to consistent planning but need another approach to the fast pace of university life. If you find yourself procrastinating or losing motivation, it’s time to check in with yourself.”
Avoid Burnout in College — Sources
Tracie Yulie, the director of the Learning and Academic Resource Center at the University of California, Irvine