It’s Important for Students to Learn How to Prevent Burnout
By Alayna Lovicott, Stride Student Advisor
As a high school student, it’s easy to get caught up in homework. As a senior, I did not realize how easy it was to get overly stressed about things. High levels of stress can cause you to lose the will to do anything school-related. I had always thought that bulldozing my way through everything, in one sitting, was the best way for me to get my work done. It was a good way to get a lot done, but it was not the best way for me to learn. This technique would eventually cause me to fall behind in the class, even though I was doing all of the assignments. And, ultimately, that made the stress worse. In this blog, I will talk about how to prevent burnout as a student.
Recognize your personal limits
To begin, it is crucial that you recognize your own limitations. Everyone has limits, and they will be unique to each individual. When you start to feel the stress of having to do certain assignments, or you sense that you are agitated by a heavy student workload, that is a sign that a break is needed. For example, whenever I did not get the score I wanted on a quiz, I would briefly review the questions and jump right back into the next attempt. I would get so frustrated with myself, and the quiz, when I did not do better the second time. After expressing my frustrations to a close friend, they gave me some valuable advice. They told me to take a step back. Move away from the computer and the assignment, and go do something else for a while. This could be taking a long hike, putting in a load of laundry, or even watching an episode or two of a favorite show. And, always remember that if you tried your absolute best, then that is all that matters, regardless of the results.
Do an honest analysis of your student workload
It is also important to analyze your student workload. If you notice yourself becoming overwhelmed by the amount of work that is due in a day (or in a given week), then take a deep breath and clear your mind for a minute or two. It is important not to overthink and add unnecessary stress to the situation. Once you feel both calm and certain about what a realistic student workload looks like for you, personally, you can schedule a time to talk to your counselor about the situation. Having a relationship with your counselor is essential, so that they can make suggestions on how you can better organize and deal with the workload. Some might suggest taking fewer classes as a high school student, and others might say you need to prioritize and make a schedule for yourself.
All in all, knowing your own limits and recognizing the signs of work-related stress are the best ways to keep yourself from burning out over the long-term. Everyone has different learning styles, and everyone has different energy limits. It took me eleven years to find my own learning style, and to discover my energy limits, so there is not a specific point in time where you need to have it all figured out. And, it is always beneficial to remember that there is no shame in saying you need a break.
To learn more about how online schooling helps students grow, be sure to check out Virtual School Motivates Teen To Become More Responsible.
To learn more about Stride Career Prep's Student Advisory Council, make sure you visit https://www.k12.com/stride-career-prep/about/student-advisory-council.html
