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What habits would you encourage incoming freshmen to inhabit in order to keep themselves motivated to push through the new, often stressful, environment?
I am a current senior in high school, nearing graduation and planning to begin at a four year in Fall ‘26. I have very good study/work habits, but i have recently been experiencing a burnout. I would like to know if there are any habits that could help prevent this from carrying on into the start of my college experience.
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4 answers
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Kim’s Answer
Burnout will always come and go, but finding other ways to self-cope and free the mindset is key. Learning to take breaks is essential, and that includes setting aside time for a digital detox to disconnect from technology and reduce mental clutter. Plan your outline of your study habits and workload. Have a good support person to help with your stress or celebrate your achievements.
Thank you!
Amandi
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Deenasini’s Answer
I believe that moderation is key to everything - and that includes trying to succeed in any field. I am a lawyer and no stranger to burnouts over the years. But I realise my burnout comes from a place so often where I am not able to create distance with my career and where I don't have other things in my life to fall back on : such as fitness, hobbies, time with family, etc. So a good starting point is to put in place things like fitness and community in your week, to give you that reprieve from the work/studying that you do. Like the saying goes, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Life is a sum of all your many parts, don't make one part dominate all of the rest.
Thank you for giving me advice.
Amandi
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Lina’s Answer
Hi Amandi,
Honestly, burnout before college or university is a lot more common than people talk about, especially for students who’ve been pushing themselves hard for years. The biggest thing I’d recommend is learning how to balance productivity with actual rest. In post-secondary school, it’s easy to feel like you always need to be doing something (getting ahead in coursework, or studying more for a specific exam), but giving yourself downtime, getting enough sleep (very important for maintaining focus), staying active, and keeping a solid routine really helps prevent burnout from getting worse.
Also, try not to put pressure on yourself to have everything figured out right away. College/university is an adjustment for everyone, especially at the beginning. You already have strong study habits, which is a huge advantage, so now it’s more about learning how to pace yourself and take care of your mental health too. You’ve got this! :)
Honestly, burnout before college or university is a lot more common than people talk about, especially for students who’ve been pushing themselves hard for years. The biggest thing I’d recommend is learning how to balance productivity with actual rest. In post-secondary school, it’s easy to feel like you always need to be doing something (getting ahead in coursework, or studying more for a specific exam), but giving yourself downtime, getting enough sleep (very important for maintaining focus), staying active, and keeping a solid routine really helps prevent burnout from getting worse.
Also, try not to put pressure on yourself to have everything figured out right away. College/university is an adjustment for everyone, especially at the beginning. You already have strong study habits, which is a huge advantage, so now it’s more about learning how to pace yourself and take care of your mental health too. You’ve got this! :)
Updated
Tracy’s Answer
I’d strongly encourage is building some form of regular physical activity or hobby into your weekly routine. When freshmen enter a new and stressful environment, it’s easy to focus only on academics, but that can lead to burnout pretty quickly. Having something like exercise, a sport, or even a creative hobby gives you a mental reset and helps manage stress.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Amandi