By: Alisa Oden#

May 20, 2021#

It’s no secret that school can be hard. Unfortunately, at some point, it can turn into something other than a healthy challenge. Many middle school and high school students experience something called burnout, as a result of overworking themselves in order to do well in school. According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, the definition of burnout is “extreme tiredness usually caused by working too much.”

Now that we’re nearing the end of the year, school is starting to feel more and more like a chore. In a survey given to Glasgow students, many said that they feel the effects of burnout much more now than they did at the start of the year. It’s understandable, as with the end of the school year comes an increased workload, but is that necessarily a good thing? Feeling challenged is key to effective learning, but at some point, you have to draw a line.

In the same survey mentioned before, Glasgow students were asked if they’d ever experienced burn out. A staggering majority said yes, while less than a fourth said no or they weren’t sure.

Though the workload at school is unavoidable, there are ways to minimize stress and make it less likely that you’ll get burnt out.

“Take mental health days. You don’t need to push yourself all the time. You matter too, so take as many breaks as you need,” said 7th grader Layla Crespo. “Also, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. Reaching out for help is NOT a weakness. It is a strength. Please take care of yourself. I know this saying is constantly used but you are not alone. We’re all truly in this together.” 

“Some tips to avoid stress and burnouts are to take breaks often and relax your mind. Also, make sure to manage your time properly. Don’t cram everything in one night. Instead, make sure to divide your work or studying into different days. Getting a good night’s sleep, exercising, and eating healthy are also key when it comes to avoiding stress,” said Rewan Farag, an 8th grader. “Something else that’s very important is not being afraid to ask for help. It will remove a lot of weight off your shoulders if you get your questions answered.”

As mentioned above, breaks are important. If you feel overwhelmed, you should take a step back for a minute. You’ll come back and face the problem with a calmer, clearer mind instead of panicking. School is important, but so is your health. Don’t push yourself too hard, and remember that as long as you’re doing your best, you’re doing great!