It’s that time of the semester again. The assignments are piling up, your sleep schedule is a disaster, and motivation is nowhere to be found. Midterms might be over, but burnout is very much alive.
Here’s some honest, practical advice to help you stay afloat when everything feels like it’s sinking.
In Class: show up and tune in
It sounds obvious, but go to class. Even when you’re tired. Especially when you feel behind. Being present makes a huge difference not just for attendance, but for understanding what’s actually going on.
While you’re there, ask questions. Clarifying even one confusing point can save you hours of frustration later. And when it comes to note-taking, don’t try to transcribe every word. Focus on the key concepts, examples your professor emphasizes, and anything that seems like it’ll come up again.
After class, take a few minutes to recap what you learned, mentally or in writing. If you’re having trouble identifying the main ideas from the day, go back to your notes and ask: What’s missing? What’s the professor emphasizing?
Outside of Class: do what you can (seriously)
Yes, you should do the reading. But if you’re buried under work, skimming is better than skipping. Get a general sense of the material so you’re not totally lost.
Try to keep a consistent schedule. Set aside a few specific hours each week dedicated to studying or homework. Don’t be afraid to take that time; just like you’d schedule time for a job, practice, or hanging out with friends, your education deserves the same priority.
General Advice: function over perfection
Let’s be real, you can’t do it all. So don’t try to. Do what matters most, and don’t beat yourself up over the rest.
- Sleep. Figure out how much sleep you need to function, then aim for one extra hour on top of that. Rest is not a luxury, it’s how your brain processes and retains information.
- Stop overthinking. Worrying about what you should be doing often takes more energy than just doing the thing.
- Use a planner or calendar. Whether it’s a physical notebook, Google Calendar, or your Notes app, having a system to track your deadlines and responsibilities helps more than you think.
- Make a to-do list. Write down everything — not just school stuff, but errands, emails, meals, whatever is taking up brain space.
- Prioritize. You probably won’t get done with every single to-do on your list. Decide what can slip through the cracks and what can’t. That’s your priority list.
- Make time for yourself. Even 15 minutes of downtime can help reset your brain. Watch a dumb video. Take a walk. Zone out. You need it.
- Give yourself wins. Make small, achievable goals. You may not be able to do it all, but don’t be afraid to celebrate what you do accomplish.
Final Thoughts
College is hard. It may seem like everyone else has their life together, but I promise they are just as stressed as you. No one expects you to be perfectly organized, well-rested, and on top of everything all the time. But small, consistent choices can keep you from burning out completely. So if you’re reading this with three tabs open and a quiz you haven’t studied for… take a deep breath. Pick one thing on your list. Start there.