Penny defines burnout as \u201cmore than just having a bad day.\u201d Instead, burnout is a condition where you experience emotional, physical and mental exhaustion, mainly due to being under constant stress for too long. While the World Health Organisation<\/a> (WHO) classifies burnout in relation to occupation and work, university students are also prone to experiencing burnout due to academic pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Burnout is more than just feeling tired after pulling an all-nighter. It’s the feeling of being completely worn out and unable to keep up with the demands of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor students,\u2019 Penny says, \u201cthis often happens when you\u2019re juggling too many things at once\u2014exams, projects, work shifts, extracurricular activities\u2014and you start to lose motivation, even for the things you once enjoyed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Penny explains there are three key elements to identifying burnout:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Research shows that burnout is a progression of symptoms with five different stages. It doesn\u2019t happen immediately. Instead, it creeps up on you gradually, over a long period of time. Penny outlines five phases of burnout:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phase one: The honeymoon<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When you start a new job or a new semester, it\u2019s normal to have lots of energy and optimism. In this phase, you\u2019re tackling new tasks and feeling satisfied by the outcome, feeling very productive and full of creativity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Phase two: The onset of stress<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Eventually, when the honeymoon phase finishes, you will begin to experience stress. Not all the time – but you\u2019ll notice that stress will take over more frequently. In this phase, you might start to lose focus more easily, become less productive when you try to complete your assignment or task, and tiredness may start to set in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phase three: Chronic stress<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In this phase, stress becomes more persistent or chronic. As pressure mounts, stress is likely to consistently affect your study. For example, you may feel apathetic, feel like you’re not able to complete your assignments on time or procrastinate when you try to do your study. Socially, you may withdraw from your normal conversations or become irritable, affecting your relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phase four: Burnout<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This phase is when you reach your limit. You are unable to function as you normally would, and the problems at uni begin to consume you. At times, you may also feel numb, or experience extreme self-doubt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phase five: Habitual burnout<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This phase has serious lasting effects on your everyday life. You may begin to experience chronic mental and physical fatigue that prevent you from studying. Eventually, it could lead to anxiety or depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When looking out for the signs and symptoms, we\u2019ve provided a breakdown of some of the most common signs of burnout, and how they might show up in your life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Emotional exhaustion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You might feel:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Physical symptoms<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Burnout can take a toll on your body, too:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Behavioural changes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Some behaviours to watch out for include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Burnout doesn\u2019t have to take over your life. Being aware of the signs and symptoms of each stage of burnout and taking steps to manage your stress is essential to avoid reaching your breaking point. Remember, it\u2019s okay to take a step back when you need to. Your wellbeing matters just as much as your grades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you recognise the above signs and symptoms in yourself or a friend and need support, don\u2019t hesitate to reach out to one of our Wellbeing Advisors<\/a>, or get in touch with our Psychology and Counselling Service.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is part one of our three-part article series on burnout. <\/em>You can read part two and two at the links below.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Why these three causes of burnout are a big deal for students<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn these key strategies for managing burnout now and into the future<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The five stages of burnout<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The signs and symptoms of burnout as a student<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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