College life can be a lot of fun, but it can also be more demanding than life in high school. Even though there can be more flexibility in college, there are also more responsibilities. Students become more independent, and this is a time when they can find their identity or discover a new passion by joining clubs, sports teams, or choosing a major that they like. However, students suddenly become aware of new responsibilities and take part in an endless routine that can result in burnout. Burnout is a mental stage where students come to experience long and unresolved stress that can negatively affect their personal and professional lives. 

As a college student, I have experienced burnout, with some of my days being more difficult than others. Usually, I am on top of things, finishing my assignments in a satisfactory and timely manner, with high levels of energy and creativity. However, there are times when it becomes difficult to maintain the same energy and creativity, and the days become more difficult and stressful. 

Burnout is this stage in a student’s or professional’s lives when they experience stress on an extremely frequent basis, and may also experience anxiety, chronic exhaustion, lack of motivation, and persistent tiredness no matter how much rest they get. Then comes the point when it becomes almost impossible to continue life as normal, and it becomes more difficult to cope with the ongoing stress. 

I have been taking a lot of classes in the last couple semesters. Although there are times when I’m able to keep up with everything and maintain an established routine, there have been times where the routine has become exasperating and exhausting. It suddenly becomes an endless cycle that I have to repeat every week, where I feel tired no matter how much rest I get or I suddenly suffer from insomnia. I also lack interest or motivation to attend my classes, and this only makes me more frustrated and stressed. 

Turning in assignments on time, attending class, studying for exams, and working in my work-study job can become tedious from time to time, and I become stressed or anxious just by thinking about it. 

Nonetheless, I tried to reduce the chronic stress by taking a mental health day, taking care of my body and mind, and by trying to restructure my working habits. However, there are days when no matter how much I try to take care of myself to be able to maintain a routine, the stress of dealing with numerous assignments can become unbearable, and it is almost impossible to take the time to take care of myself. 

Anyway, it is important to keep in mind that talking to professors, asking for more time, and explaining the feelings of stress can help reduce or overcome burnout. Also, having self-care days and knowing when to get away from all the stress can be essential to reducing stress and exhaustion. I have been learning to know my limits and to understand when I have to take care of myself and take a break from all the stress in my life.