It’s no secret that school can be tough, but the changes students and teachers had to undergo this year have made the academic experience much more complicated. Students are expected to manage a heavy course load amid a hybrid setup between classrooms and their homes. At the same time, they’re made to juggle that along with extracurriculars and social life while maintaining safety protocols.
Truly, there’s a lot of pressure on students in 2022. This pressure easily develops into greater degrees of academic burnout. In order to keep yourself or your friends safe, it’s important to learn the signs of academic burnout and be able to address it before it takes a toll on anyone. In this article, we’ll discuss each one.
4 Most Common Signs of Academic Burnout
The following signs may indicate that a student is experiencing academic burnout.
1. A sudden drop in academic performance
Lower grades aren’t always the result of a lack of effort or knowledge in the subject. They can be indicative of academic burnout, especially if their current marks are inconsistent with their previous academic performance.
This sign of burnout isn’t always exclusively prompted by schoolwork. A lot of other factors may cause a dip in their grades. Have they taken on a part-time job to make ends meet and found it hard to focus? Such a case can force students to cut corners in their schoolwork or take frequent absences.
2. Inability to concentrate on schoolwork
This next sign of academic burnout is easy to spot and can be linked to a sudden dip in academic performance. Students who are struggling with burnout often have difficulty concentrating on their schoolwork. They may start to procrastinate more, causing their grades to suffer. In extreme cases, they may even stop attending class altogether.
As for the cause, there are several possible reasons for a student to find it difficult to focus on school. Some of the more common causes include insomnia, a late diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and emotional problems that can trigger other mental health issues.
3. No longer enjoying things you used to enjoy
Academic burnout often entails mental and social exhaustion, among other things. This is why burnt-out people typically isolate themselves and feel a loss of enthusiasm even for activities they used to find enjoyable and fulfilling.
If a friend suddenly goes AWOL or loses interest in a sport or subject they formerly felt passionate about, it can be a sign that they’re on the brink of burnout.
4. Constant feelings of boredom and exhaustion
While it’s not a commonly known symptom, feeling bored all the time can be a warning sign of burnout and even depression. This goes hand-in-hand with losing interest in the usual things you used to do for fun.
Another aspect of this is constant tiredness, which is a physical manifestation of burnout that can impact other aspects of life. Feeling easily exhausted, even without doing a lot, is a surefire sign that you need a long rest from your routine and all the stressors that come with it.
How to Cope With Academic Burnout
While it’s normal to feel overwhelmed about schoolwork, the aforementioned signs of academic burnout should never be dismissed as minor. Here are tips for Filipino students who are struggling to cope or want to avoid burnout altogether:
1. Try to maintain work-life balance
Make sure you’re carving out time for yourself every day. Deadlines may be an indelible part of a student’s life, but you should learn to prioritize rest above all else. After all, you’ll be better equipped to effectively and efficiently complete tasks if your mind is well-rested.
Whether rest for you means catching up on sleep or going out for a jog, it’s important to take a break from studying. One way to find success in building work-life balance is to manage your time better. Create a schedule and try to stick to it as best as you can. Having an allotted time for work and for rest can make it easier for you to maintain a healthy balance.
2. Don’t be too hard on yourself
If you’re starting to feel like you’re burning out, it’s crucial that you take a step back and reassess your goals. Are you biting off more than you can chew? Are you setting personal goals and expectations that just aren’t realistic given your current situation?
Take some time to figure out what you need to change to make your academic experience more manageable. Remember, your goal should be to succeed academically and enjoy your time as a student.
3. Communicate with trusted people
Another thing to remember? It’s okay to ask for help! Talk to your advisor or a trusted faculty member to get some perspective on what is achievable. You can also talk to your parents or a trusted friend if you’re more comfortable. They can offer valuable insights, perspectives, and advice.
A Supportive Community Can Help Keep These Signs of Academic Burnout Away
Let’s set the record straight: Academic burnout is very real, and students are especially susceptible to it. As more and more people find themselves feeling overwhelmed by the changes in the school system and the norm of social life, there’s a greater reason to create safe environments that can help students get by.
At CIIT Philippines, we believe that students shouldn’t compromise their health for the sake of good grades. Those who want to succeed academically should, first and foremost, prioritize themselves. Beyond this, our faculty and staff are dedicated to helping students overcome any challenges they may face, including burnout.
This is what makes CIIT an excellent choice for students who want to pursue a challenging field such as art, tech, and business while receiving the support they need to thrive. Get a glimpse of our close-knit community and learn more about student life at our campuses here.
