How to Resist Summer Burnout and Prepare For A New School Year

Is your stressful summer leading to burnout? Here's some tips to refresh yourself before the beginning of your school year.

Summer has become synonymous with rest and relaxation. For the vast majority of students, this is a far cry from reality. Summer jobs, classes and internships are commonplace among college students during the summer. Far too many students allow themselves to experience a summer burnout by working at such a fast pace year-round.

By taking a few simple steps, you can save yourself from this summer burnout and have time to do the things you want to do this summer. Don’t go into fall feeling exhausted. Follow these tips to refresh yourself for the rest of the summer and into the upcoming school year.

Step One: Acknowledge when you’ve taken on too much

It’s OK to feel overwhelmed. In order to decipher what tangible steps you need to take to alleviate it, take a look at your schedule.

Maybe it’s the number of hours you’re spending at your summer job. A conversation with your supervisor could get you the break you deserve. Having classes on top of work can cause you to fall behind in school, but your professors are there to help. You may be surprised by the help people are willing to give by simply asking for it.

If you are feeling extremely overwhelmed, the Counseling and Wellness Center is open to any UF student who may need help finding what step to take next.

Taking the time to acknowledge your stress, then formulating the best way to take action is the best course of action to combating overwhelming feelings.

Step Two: Gain the confidence to say “no”

This is a common word of advice but even this cliché term hasn’t even begun to crack the stereotype that college students must constantly work to get ahead.

As a young professional, it takes a great deal of confidence to turn down a position or extra projects and just take the time you need for yourself.

This step doesn’t mean giving up on your professional goals. It just means that you acknowledge that life is happening now and by taking on this role or project, you may be missing out on other opportunities to develop.

Step Three: Now get to work on your own habits

Once you have taken tangible steps to alleviate some of the stresses in academic and professional environments, it’s time to take a hard look in the mirror and realize what you can change in your day-to-day life to help give you time to do what you enjoy.

One change that has proven to be instrumental in productivity is your sleep schedule. Alter your sleep schedule and wake up earlier to give yourself more effective hours to get work done.

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Dan Ariely, a Duke University professor of psychology and behavioral economics, concluded in a recent study that the most productive hours of the day are the first two hours spent awake. Change your schedule to a point where you can utilize these hours. get the most amount of work done, so you can enjoy more free time in your day.

Other habits to take a look at include lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise. You can alleviate “burnout” by simply taking care of your body.

Additionally, focus on your mental health. Habits like journaling, meditating and yoga for at least 10 minutes each day can give you the boost you need to be more productive and happy. Also, be sure to take regular breaks while working. Believe it or not, breaks can actually increase your overall productivity.

Focus on creating a lifestyle that is more productive and efficient. You’ll have more time to spend engaging in other things you enjoy.

Step Four: Repeat!

Your life is going to continue to change. It’s important to recognize when you’re heading for a summer burnout. It’s equally important to ask for help and get your habits in order. Humans are constantly evolving in their professional and personal lives. Get to work on recognizing your patterns of burnout and making time for yourself. Your body and mind will thank you!