By Emma Colegrove
As college students, we are expected to push our boundaries and spend long nights studying, writing, and thinking. We often hear the phrase “take it easy,” but when was the last time you did that? Sure we have weekends and free time, but our academic obligations cause enough stress that makes it impossible to wind down and take some time for ourselves without feeling guilty. We overcommit ourselves — heart and soul — to classes, sports, clubs, and jobs. But we often forget that we need to commit to ourselves as well.
In the past year, I personally have struggled with being able to navigate my feelings, on top of how I was being affected by the stress I had taken on by attending college during a pandemic. It wasn’t until I found myself sitting in my car on a Monday night crying so hard I felt like I couldn’t breathe that it finally clicked — I was burnt out, and something had to change.
So what do we do when we experience burnout, and how do we prevent it?
Check-in with yourself.
We constantly hear how important it is to check in with loved ones, but we ARE loved ones. This might mean journaling or talking out loud to ourselves. Whatever works for you, run with it. Ask yourself, “How do I really feel today?” or “What’s one way I can be kind to myself today?” The most important part of this is to be honest. No one is going to read your journal, so dig deep and let those feelings out. That way, when you’re reading, you can work on finding real solutions.
Listen to your body’s signals.
If you’re letting your mental and physical health take the back seat, cut it out. You won’t be able to finish that paper, organize that event, or follow up with those emails if you’re not treating yourself right. Turn the computer off, get some sleep, and drink some water.
Don’t ignore it.
If you’re struggling, don’t stuff it down. When you ignore a problem, you give it permission to grow and get worse. Use the first two suggestions as tools and address what’s draining you head-on. You’ll feel a lot better once you give yourself the space you need to feel all the feelings.
Learn to say no.
As my time at WNE draws to a close, I have found myself overcommitting. I have been extra eager to involve myself on campus while I have the chance, but I’ll confess that my need to leave my mark on this school has caused my mental health to suffer. Being an active part of campus gives me so much joy, but when the responsibilities and commitments pile up, it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The work I put into my classes and my extracurriculars suffers when I take on a new project when my plate is already full. Get involved in the things that make you happy to be at WNE, but don’t sacrifice your sanity or peace of mind for it.
Burnout is something every college student faces at one time or another, but it doesn’t have to mean we give up or stop doing the things we love. We just need to get better at reading ourselves and knowing when to make the change. Spring is here, stop and smell the roses.
