For most of us students, this will be our third time in online school since the beginning of the pandemic early last year. Between myself, my friends and my classmates, I’ve personally noticed a growing trend of chronic exhaustion amongst the student population. This heavy feeling of stress and tiredness is also known as a burnout. Though it is not a medical condition, numerous students will relate to this phenomenon, having experienced its symptoms in one way or another.
Essentially, academic burnouts can be caused by long hours of work which require high levels of energy, leaving you feeling both emotionally and physically drained. Some common signs of burnout are energy depletion, exhaustion, feelings of negativity towards schoolwork, and a reduced ability to feel motivated when it comes to all things school related. It is however important to note that a burnout will range from person to person and is something each individual will experience differently.
Academic burnout is much more than feeling too tired to pay full attention to your next class. Burnout can cause real, psychosomatic problems such as headaches, insomnia, depression and other serious illnesses if left unchecked. Thus it is important that us students can identify when we are in a burnout phase, and subsequently look for solutions to pull ourselves out of this downwards spiral as quickly as possible.
Researchers have looked deeply into the topic of burnout amongst the student population and have put forth a few suggestions for mitigating distress:
Don’t view burnout as a failure. It is natural for students to strive for perfection and see anything otherwise as a failure. Burnout is a consequence of a system that is not working and is requiring you to sacrifice your wellbeing instead. Taking the time to step back, rest and reflect is most definitely not a failure on your part. In fact, look at it as a way to come back recharged and stronger.
Find ways to de-stress regularly. Take up hobbies which help you de-stress, whether it be something active like running, something creative like art, or even something relaxing like reading. Try and find activities to help you feel like yourself again, minus the school-induced stress.
Normalize open conversations with those around you. It seems a lot easier said than done, but try to confide in those around you. Who knows? Maybe a friend might be going through something similar. Mutual support goes a long way.
Lastly, fight the urge to isolate. During a burnout period, curling up in your bed and isolating yourself from the rest of the world may feel like the only (and best) option you have. The real solution is actually the opposite of that. Despite the challenge of online school, actively look for ways to engage yourself in human interaction, which will make you feel much better!
— [Writer] Remika (Remie) Sirikulthada can be reached at [2022remie.s@shrewsbury.in.th].
Follow her on Instagram [@remieieie] or Facebook [Remika Sirikulthada].
SOURCES:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452301120300456
https://www.understood.org/articles/en/burning-out-in-school-what-it-means-and-how-to-help
For most of us students, this will be our third time undergoing online school since the beginning of the pandemic. Speaking from personal experience I can definitely say that between myself, my friends and my classmates, I’ve noticed a growing trend of chronic exhaustion amongst the student population. This overbearing feeling of stress and tiredness is also known as a burnout. Though it is not a medical condition, numerous students will relate to this phenomenon having experienced its symptoms of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from feelings of negativity towards school work; and a reduced ability to feel motivated to engage in all things school related.
Essentially burnouts can be caused by long hours of work which require high levels of energy and leave you feeling drained, both emotionally and physically. Academic burnout can result from exhaustion, frustration, lack of motivation or an overall decrease in ability to focus on school related work/ activities. It is however important to note that a burnout will range from person to person and is something each individual will experience differently.
Academia burnout symptoms are manifested in much more than just feeling tired or like you can’t attend your next class. Burnout can cause real, psychosomatic problems such as headaches, insomnia, depression and other serious illnesses if not treated as soon as possible. Thus it is important that as students we can identify when we are in a burnout phase and are able to look for solutions to pull ourselves out of this negative phenomenon.
Academic researchers have looked deeply into the topic of burnout amongst the student population and have solidified a few suggestions for mitigating distress:
Don’t view burnout as a failure = It is natural for students to strive for perfection and see anything otherwise as a failure, burnout is a consequence of a system that is not working and is requiring you to sacrifice you wellbeing – taking the time to step back and reflect is most definitely not a failure on your part. In fact, look at it as a way to rest and come back stronger.
Find ways to destress regularly = Look to take up hobbies which help you destress, whether it be something active like running, something creative like art or even something slow like reading, try and find activities to help you feel like yourself again.
Normalize open conversations with those around you = Seems a lot easier said than done but perhaps try to confide in those around you and who knows maybe a friend might be going through something similar to you.
Lastly, fight to isolation = During a burnout period curling up in your bed and isolating yourself from the rest of the world may feel like the only option you have. However, know that it is the complete opposite of that, especially during online school, still actively find ways to engage yourself in human interaction which overall will make you feel much better!
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452301120300456
https://www.understood.org/articles/en/burning-out-in-school-what-it-means-and-how-to-help
— [Writer] Remika (Remie) Sirikulthada can be reached at [2022remie.s@shrewsbury.in.th].
Follow her on Instagram [@remieieie] or Facebook [Remika Sirikulthada].
