Burnout has become a critical issue that affects countless students, so understanding the root cause is important.
The pressure to excel academically, balance extracurricular activities, and maintain an exciting social life can be overwhelming. This may lead you to face fatigue and emotional depletion. This blog series will explore the complexities of student burnout, its causes, and strategies for managing and overcoming it.
What is burnout in students?
Burnout in students is more than feeling tired or stressed. It is a state in which you feel extreme exhaustion. On top of that, you may also feel emotionally depleted, impairing your ability to function effectively. Burnout manifests through feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities you have. You may even feel detached from your studies and disillusioned with your academic life.
The concept of burnout among students was identified by psychologist Christina Maslach. She described it as ‘the effects of prolonged stress and frustration’. In the academic arena, student burnout usually leads to decreased academic performance, low motivation, and a decline in overall well-being.
Why is burnout prevalent?
Several factors may contribute to this. The competitive nature of the modern education system puts pressure on you to achieve high grades and excel in extracurricular activities. The emergence and rise of social media use have also contributed to this pressure. All these create an unrealistic comparison among students, especially with the need for societal validation.
The academic environment itself often promotes a culture of overworking. Long study hours, frequent exams, and coursework that don’t allow much personal time leave you with little to no time for rest. To add to this, the challenge of balancing academic responsibilities with personal life makes it more daunting. This has led to many students neglecting self-care and mental health.
What are the signs of burnout?
Early identification of burnout is crucial towards addressing the problem. Some common signs include:
- Chronic fatigue, or always feeling tired and lacking energy even after adequate rest
- Emotional exhaustion and feeling drained, overwhelmed, or even emotionally numb
- Feeling detached and disconnected from academic activities, leading to disengagement
- Reduced academic performance and declining grades, diminished motivation, and difficulty in concentrating
- Being overly cynical and negative in general, and especially towards academic work.
But what causes burnout?
Understanding the root cause is important. By addressing the different factors contributing to this health issue, we can work towards ensuring a healthier academic environment for all.
In the coming weeks, we will explore the causes of burnout among students and how it manifests. We will then offer practical strategies for managing and overcoming it. Through these, we hope to help you navigate the challenges of academia with greater resilience.
The Student Counselling and Support unit under the Student Engagement department offers discreet support and counselling services to the campus community. If you need someone to talk to, the counselling team can be reached via email at ecounselling@swnburne.edu.my