Break the Cycle of Burnout

Most students start the semester strong. You’re motivated, the workload feels manageable, and everything seems to be going according to plan. You tell yourself that you're going to stay on top of it this time and you're not going to procrastinate...

But then, life happens. Deadlines pile up, assignments overlap, you feel anxious or depressed, you want to have a social life, aaaand before you know it, you’re behind. By the end of the semester, you’re in overdrive, trying to catch up and stay afloat.

And when it’s all finally over? Burnout hits like a freakin' freight train. You crash, spend tons of time zoning out, and before you know it, the next semester begins. The cycle repeats.

What if this time could be different?

Get Good at Starting and Stopping

Burnout often happens because we try to sprint through the finish line and then end up shutting down completely. Instead of binge-working during finals and totally crashing during the break, practice switching gears regularly.

If you’re in finals now, this might mean studying for 25 minutes and then stepping away for 5 to stretch or breathe. Taking little breaks preemptively can actually help you maintain focus and energy longer.

If your semester is over, it’s about avoiding the “all or nothing” mindset. Use your break to keep engaged in things you want to do and wish you had time for during the semester. You can engage in hobbies, personal projects, or getting ahead on the next semester. Intentionally recharging is much more effective than the full shut down / zone out "rest".

Use Your Break to Reflect and Prepare

Breaks are for resting, yes, but they’re also the perfect time to reset. Instead of waiting until next semester to think about your habits, use this downtime to get ahead.

Ask yourself: Where did things start to go wrong last semester? Did you struggle with procrastination? Overcommit to too many things? Get stuck in cycles of perfectionism?

Once you pinpoint the challenges, think about what could have helped. Would a weekly planning session have kept you organized? Could scheduling study blocks earlier in the semester have reduced last-minute panic?

Take this time to jot down some ideas for what you want to do differently next semester. Small changes now can save you a ton of stress later.

>> Action Step <<

Today, take 10 minutes to think about one habit or system that could have made this semester easier.

It starts with small, intentional choices.

You're capable of making change ✨