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Uni life can be exciting, rewarding and full of opportunities but it can also come with a lot to juggle.
Between assignments, exams, work, family commitments, finances, social life and everything else happening outside of uni, it can sometimes feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. When that pressure continues without enough time to recover, it can contribute to burnout.
In Part 1 of our burnout series, we looked at some of the signs and symptoms to look out for. Now, let’s take a closer look at why burnout can happen in the first place.
So, what contributes to burnout?
There isn’t one single reason someone experiences burnout. Research into student burnout points to a combination of academic, psychological, personal, social and environmental factors.
Here are three common contributors that might sound familiar.
1. You’ve got too much on your plate
Sometimes, it’s not one big thing. It may be that everything is happening all at once. A heavy study load, multiple deadlines, exams, group projects and competing commitments can leave you feeling like you’re constantly trying to catch up.
And if you’re also working, caring for family, managing finances or dealing with other responsibilities outside uni, it can be difficult to find enough time to switch off. Research into academic burnout consistently identifies high workloads, time pressure and prolonged study demands as important risk factors for students.
2. You’re not getting enough time to recover
When you’re busy, it gets hard to prioritise rest. You might tell yourself you’ll catch up on sleep after your next assignment, take a break after exams or make time for friends once things calm down. But if you’re constantly moving from one deadline to the next, your mind and body may not get much opportunity to recover.
Recovery means getting enough sleep, stepping away from your laptop, going for a walk, spending time with people you enjoy or doing something that has nothing to do with uni. Learn to know if you’re nearing your limit and stopping before you’re completely exhausted.
3. You’re putting too much pressure on yourself
Sometimes the pressure doesn’t only come from your workload. It can also come from the expectations you place on yourself.
Maybe you feel like every assignment needs to be perfect. Maybe you compare your results with your friends. Maybe you feel guilty when you’re not studying or think that taking a break means you’re falling behind.
Perfectionism, academic pressure and difficulty coping with stress have all been identified as factors associated with student burnout.
Having high standards isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But when those standards leave little room for mistakes, rest or anything outside your studies, they can become another source of pressure.
Learn how to manage stress
When you recognise these contributors, it will be easier to know how to manage stress. Just noticing where the pressure is coming from can make a big difference.
You might need to:
- Reassess your workload – look at what’s genuinely urgent and what can wait.
- Build in recovery time – treat sleep, meals, movement and breaks as part of your routine, not rewards for finishing everything.
- Set realistic expectations – remind yourself that doing your best doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly.
- Talk to someone early – a friend, family member, lecturer or support service can help you work through what’s feeling unmanageable.
- Look at the bigger picture – if you’re constantly exhausted, ask whether something about your workload, routine or circumstances needs to change.
What if you’re already feeling burnt out?
You don’t have to wait until things become overwhelming before asking for support.
Start by checking in with yourself. What has been taking the most energy lately? Are you getting enough time to recover? Is there something you could adjust, share or ask for help with?
If stress or exhaustion is starting to affect your everyday life, studies or relationships, consider talking to someone you trust or accessing professional support.
Coming up next: Beating burnout (Part 3)
In the final part of our series, we’ll look at practical ways to manage burnout, recover sustainably and reduce the chances of getting stuck in the same cycle again.
Need a little extra support?
Take a moment to check in with yourself using the Wellbeing tool in OASIS. It can help you find personalised wellbeing resources based on how you’re feeling and what you need.
If you or someone you know are experiencing burnout and need support, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our Wellbeing Advisors, or get in touch with our Psychology and Counselling Service.
This is part two of our three-part article series on beating burnout. You can read part one and three at the links below.
