How to avoid burn-out in college

Make short-term achievable goals to go along with your long-term big ones.

This can look like a daily to-do list where you check off little things like doing laundry or cleaning out that messy desk drawer. Your long-term and big goals can be rather daunting. So break it off until smaller bites that you can see yourself accomplishing.

Have at least one weekend day open for catching up (if you can).

I know this isn’t doable for everyone, but leaving at least one weekend day open for catching up on anything that needs to be caught up on is a great thing to do. This can be homework or housework or both. You just need to keep a day open for the things that tend to pile up if you don’t.

Evaluate Priorities (you’re probably going to have to say “no” to something.)

There’s going to be a lot of things bartering for your time in college and I’m sorry to say, you’re likely not going to be able to do it all. I know it’s hard, especially if you have a people pleasing complex (cough, cough), but you’re going to have to say no to some things and some people. You cannot do it all. So prioritize the things that are really worth your time.

Celebrate little achievements and accomplishments and reward yourself every now and then.

Buy yourself a coffee if you did well on that test. Allow yourself to watch an episode of your favorite show when you finish your homework early. Celebrate the small mile-stones and you’ll maintain your wind for future projects.

Keep an eye on your mental state.

College moves so quickly. So much so, it is very easy to cultivate some very unhealthy thinking patterns and habits without even realizing it. I nearly broke one semester because I didn’t even realize I had an issue till I was on the verge of falling to pieces. Keep a conscious eye on your mental state. Sometimes being mentally unhealthy can sneak up on you. It is very easy to lose yourself in a school schedule.

Try to take care of your body.

You study like crap when you feel like crap. Coffee is not a substitute for water. Get some sunlight every now and then. Take your meds. Go for a walk every now and then. Shower and wash your face at the end of the day.

Keep a schedule of some sorts

Especially towards the beginning of the semester when you have lots of room numbers and time slots to remember. But really it’s good to have a schedule year-round if you can manage it. This kind of organization can really help you manage and budget your time and therefore lead to less stress overall during the school year.

Know that it’s okay to ask for help and seek out tutoring resources if you can when needed.

I know asking for help is on most people’s “least favorite things to do” list but trust me, you’re probably going to have to do it at some point during your college career so might as well get used to the idea. And try not to wait till you’re halfway through a class and you’re completely lost to ask for help. If you’re struggling now, ask for help now. Nail down those concepts that you’re shaky on; most subjects build upon earlier concepts.

Make time for passion projects, social activities, or hobbies every now and then.

Don’t run yourself ragged and deprive yourself of spending your time doing fun things or hanging out with friends. These are not “luxuries” that you can deprive yourself of long-term. Sure, don’t skip studying and exam to go partying but definitely schedule a coffee date with a gal pal or a day to indulge in one of your long-neglected hobbies. You are not a machine. You are a person with many different needs, some of which are social. Don’t deprive yourself of these things because you feel you don’t deserve or have “time” for it. You need to make time for it.