By: Veronica Voth
I’ve encountered numerous personal experiences regarding burnout, exploring how others coped and their suggestions to overcoming it. Unfortunately, they felt redundant and never resonated with me. Everything that they suggested I do, were things I already knew to do, I just lacked the energy and mindset to implement them. Despite researching in attempt to understand what I was feeling and how to escape my draining mindset, everything I read seemed so superficial.
There's a distinct memory from early this semester when I finished my fourth midterm, yet still had four more ahead of me. A sense of numbness consumed me. I definitely didn't want to study anymore but I also didn't want to rest or workout or talk to anyone. I had made it my goal this year to raise my GPA, driven by personal achievement and a tinge of competitiveness. If I just worked hard and set my mind to it, it was definitely attainable. I was prepared for the challenges of second year, anticipating sacrifices to my social life and my mental health but I was prepared for that, I could predict that. What I did not predict, however, was the depth of self-deprecation I experienced during this process, especially during high stress periods.
It was very important for me to achieve high grades on my midterms and I dedicated every ounce of energy to studying. Neglecting breaks, eating, exercise, socializing, all my time went into studying. I knew at the time that this wasn't a great habit, but there was an end in sight, so what was a few more days, right? Unsurprisingly, this pattern left me numb and unmotivated. I was giving everything I had to my work, and when I didn't consistently see the results I wanted, it was discouraging, as in my mind, I had nothing else to give. Everyone advised taking breaks but even breaks weren't breaks at that point, they became guilt ridden intervals. After breaks I felt just as tired and was left with the same amount of work to get done, just leaving myself with less time. Everyone was telling me ways to feel happier without acknowledging the actual problem. I couldn't avoid the work or the exams or my goals, these were all things I had to do.
Uninterested in any other techniques I sought out a therapist. With my therapist however, we talked about my mindset around school, what I expected from myself and how I view myself in comparison to my peers.Validation without judgment and practical tips tailored to me were crucial for me to fix my faulted mindset. Cognitive behavioral therapy was a game-changer, allowing me to recognize my issue without the pressure of an immediate solution. This strategy didn't tell me to put my work aside, or redirect my anxieties elsewhere, but rather to calm my mind at that time so that I could continue on the work I wanted to do. Little by little, reteaching myself how to think aided me in high stress times where a lot is expected of me.
I thought about my future and why my goals held so much over me. I focused on the present, making sure to tackle tasks one at a time. I rethought my ambitions, and challenged my mindset, asking questions like whether I was being rational or self-bullying. Fixing my mindset still remains a work in progress, as it involves time and repetition. Using the MindShift app to regulate my thoughts has been instrumental.
If you are reading this and can relate, consider reaching out to an unbiased third party and start to challenge the way you perceive school and life related stress. Recognizing burnout early and implementing these strategies are vital for keeping a healthy mindset especially during our lowest point as students.