Students view productivity as exerting oneself beyond one’s limit, which should not be the case. Academic life comes with a lot of pressure that can result in burnout if not managed well. Sometimes, amid busy class schedules and tight assignment deadlines, one may fail to notice when they are experiencing fatigue until their productivity takes a hit. To avoid getting to the extremes of fatigue, it’s best to devise strategies to keep up with your academic life without exerting yourself so much. In some cases, turning to academic support services like https://www.academicghostwriter.org/ can provide much-needed relief by helping you manage your workload more effectively. Here are ways to avoid burnout even when school gets busy so you can strive for academic excellence.
Your brain is the central organ in your body, controlling all the functions of your body. You need to know how your brain functions to unlock the cheat code to achieve your academics without stressing out. The brain is your body’s command center. It decides your concentration levels, problem-solving, and memorization. Hence, getting around how it works will help boost your efficiency since you will understand the best methods to understand concepts. For example, instead of spending 6 hours reading a textbook, you can watch a 45-minute YouTube video explaining a similar idea with breaks in between that allow you to introspect on what you have learned.
The brain is not built for constant pressure. You will need to take breaks in between your study sessions or classes. Creating a rest pattern or occasional dopamine reward from exercising or doing things you love during your breaks will help you recharge better. Most importantly, you will catch burnout before it strikes, as you will easily record the signs of mental fatigue so you can take a break before the situation worsens.
Sleep is underrated, especially for night owls. While you may feel like you are more productive at night, getting limited sleep usually has severe effects in the long run. Therefore, you need to find ways to get enough rest. If you struggle with insomnia, you can practice sleep hygiene and adopt a healthy sleep routine by removing every distraction in your bedroom. You can switch off your phone to avoid endless scrolling. Additionally, you should stick to a specific sleeping schedule, even on weekends. The brain thrives in consistency, and a good sleeping pattern will help regulate your internal body clock. Further, you should engage in fewer tasking activities around your bedtime to avoid getting your brain on overdrive. When sleeping, your brain recharges and consolidates memory for your next day’s activities. The recommended sleeping hours are usually 7- 8 hours.
Most students usually feel that putting much effort into their schoolwork is the best way to achieve academic excellence. However, you can find innovative ways to go around your studies and become a high-performing student. A good way to study smarter is to adopt the Pomodoro Technique, where you study for 25 minutes and take a five-minute break. The technique will help you manage burnout since you will give your brain time to recharge.
Long study hours may be counterproductive, especially if you are experiencing mental fatigue. While you may want to push yourself to do a 6-hour straight study session, it is best to consider your concentration span. Additionally, you need to plan your study schedule around your peak energy. For example, you can have longer study sessions during morning hours if you are a morning person. Being energetic makes you more likely to cover more content quickly.
Keeping your brain and body healthy should be a top priority to avoid burnout. While pizza and energy drinks may feel like the perfect fuel, especially during busy school weeks when fast foods seem to be the best solution, it’s essential to note that your body and brain deserve healthier meal options. Healthy eating does not mean you eliminate the fun stuff from your meal plans; instead, you should take more foods with nutrients that will build your energy and make you feel good. Your body and brain need energy that lasts; therefore, your diet should include foods rich in proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.
Options like oats and brown rice, which are rich in fiber, release energy slowly and keep you energetic throughout the day. Healthy eating will also boost your immune system so you do not fall sick often. Getting sick usually reduces your energy and productivity levels and can easily result in burnout, as you cannot exert yourself. Most importantly, healthy eating keeps your mood in check and helps you reduce stress.
When the going gets tough, sometimes we need simple motivation or affirmation from those close to us to boost our confidence. Therefore, you need to build a support system of people who understand you and care about your well-being. Talking to your friends can be more appropriate since they can easily relate to what you are going through. Opening up to someone who gets you can be refreshing, leaving you feeling like you are not scraping through alone. Additionally, you can ask for advice from your mentors on how they cope with burnout, stress, and anxiety. They are better experienced and have been in a similar position to you at some point in their life.
Academic excellence is not an overnight achievement; it takes long study hours and mental dedication. All these can be overwhelming, and students hardly notice when they are experiencing burnout from such pressure. Therefore, you need to be more self-aware to ensure you pick up on signs of burnout at the first instance. Additionally, you can avoid burnout in several ways, from studying smart to building a solid support system, maintaining a healthy diet, and understanding how your brain functions. So schedule those study breaks, grab a healthy snack, and get enough sleep. A healthy student does not need to exert themselves 24/7; instead, they should strategize and devise ways to work smart and still excel academically.
