For college students across the globe, the stresses of higher education can be a heavy burden to bear. For many students, stress that creeps up and culminates around mid-semester can cause fatigue, apathy and even cause a student to give up on higher education completely.

According to Classes and Careers, a website that helps students find colleges to their liking, “burning out” is the No. 1 reason why college students drop out each year.

Harriet Singleton, a counselor and a coordinator of Grand Valley State University multicultural counseling and diversity at the Counseling Center, said “burn out” is the feeling of exhaustion and diminished interest in a subject, career field or activity.

“Some symptoms may include a feeling of emptiness or sickness, loss of enthusiasm for former pleasurable activities, anxiety centered on completing a certain task and an avoidance of preparing for the future or for an exam,” Singleton said.

Wayne Kinzie, associate director of GVSU’s Counseling Center, said an academic burnout is likely among students because college requires many transitions that take the focus off education.

“From a developmental perspective, one of the worst times for many students to attend college might be between (ages) 17 and 25,” Kinzie said. “This developmental period of our lives contains so many developmental tasks that can disrupt academic endeavors, (which include): taking on adult roles and responsibilities, working on socializing skills, forming intimate relationships, developing a clearer self-perception, being away from home for an extended first time and not having parental support readily available.”

John Zagura, coordinator of career counseling and testing at the Counseling Center, said procrastination due to guilt and stress often leads to burn out.

“I think students can manage lots of tasks, but not at the last minute,” Zagura said, adding that effective time management and putting aside time each week for classes and homework can reduce the chances of burning out.

Putting aside 40 hours for classes and schoolwork will help, he said, and students will still have 120 hours to themselves.

“I always encourage looking for balance, harmony, good feelings and still having time to enjoy campus life,” Zagura said. “You must step back and be reflective, and ask yourself, ‘Am I making progress? What changes could I be making?”

Zagura suggested students on the verge of bun-out take time to exercise, sleep well and make an optimal study environment
free of distractions.

Singleton and Kinzie also offered similar advice. “Two of the best protections against burning out include hard, intense aerobic exercise at least four to five times per week, and supportive, nurturing, trusting relationships with others — or perhaps (with) your dog — that are easily available to access,” Kinzie said.

Singleton also recommended reassessing one’s major and career path. She suggested taking different routes when walking to class, trying something new with one’s diet, using self talk in a positive manner and asking friends and family members for support.

Singleton added that burnout can happen to any person at any time, and the key is to be able to recognize its symptoms
early and find ways to manage it.

“If all else fails, seek counseling in the GVSU Counseling and Career Department Center,” she said.

To meet with a counselor, contact the Counseling and Career Development Center at 616-331-3266.