How to avoid college burn out!*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ

I faced a really bad phase of burn out from school last fall and took the rest of the semester and spring semester off. I’m going back to school this fall, and this is how I’m planning to avoid burn out and maybe it’ll help you too!!

1. Therapy

As someone who is planning on becoming a therapist, of course I believe therapy is a powerful tool! It has been so beneficial to me with helping with my burnout, anxiety, and depression. Everyone’s experience with therapy is different, but personally, I would not have made it where I am today without it. Having someone to talk to and give promising solutions has been great and I highly recommend it!

2. Don’t over-involve yourself

Of course this varies for everyone. Some people thrive off of being in multiple organizations. This was a mistake I made, though. I involved myself in numerous clubs and organizations that had a lot of responsibilities, and I found myself struggling with school as a result. I had too much going on and I couldn’t carry it anymore. It’s good to be involved and make friends and connections! But be careful with how much you put on your plate!!

3. Accommodations

This is coming from someone who has diagnoses that can get me accommodations, so this also varies on the person. If you struggle with mental health and have paperwork for it, you can talk to your school about getting accommodations to help with schoolwork when you feel a bad phase coming on. My previous school’s accommodations allowed us 2 extra days to turn in work and a different, more quiet space to take tests. I found the two extra days very helpful with I was struggling with my health.

4. Take breaks

I know this sounds so cliche, but it’s true. If you spend all of your time focused on school, it’s gonna become exhausting. Take time to enjoy a hobby, time with friends and family, listen to music, nap, whatever you need to recharge. When you’re studying, take breaks to clear your mind and/or eat. I find that eating personally helps my brain power a lot, so I like to take snack breaks when I’m doing work. Don’t push yourself too much, or else it’ll end up hurting and it won’t feel worth it anymore.

5. Ask for help

This was the biggest thing that helped with my burnout. I remember sobbing during a band trip because I didn’t want to be there anymore. I was exhausted. I didn’t know what I wanted anymore and nothing felt worth it. I remember texting my mom for help. She offered to take me home that night and she helped me decide to withdraw from school for a while. Help can show up in different ways. You can ask friends for help just by hanging out. You can ask teachers for help by maybe getting an extension or support while you’re going through something. Just don’t let yourself suffer alone because that can lead you to a dark place. There are people who love you and want you to thrive!

Hope this helps :)) <33

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