September 1, 2024
Burnout happens when a person experienced an enormous level of stress that leads to feeling exhausted and drained. As the new school year begins, managing school and other responsibilities, and the lack of support can be very stressful that often lead to burnout. For example, many freshmen students are prone to burnout as they adjust the new college life. They tend to engage in extra curricular activities to fit in but lack of support which cause heavy workload. In 2021, Boston University research team found that more than half of 33,000 college participants have experienced anxiety and depression due to the overloading commitments and responsibilities. Researchers further stated that 83% of responders reported that their mental health suffered and affected their academic performance.
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​So, how to utilize college resources to help reduce burnout?
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​Here are some tips to help avoid burnout:
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Meet with your financial aid advisers
Meet with your Financial Aid Adviser to plan ahead and to ensure that all financial aid and scholarship applications are completed before the school year begins. For example, FAFSA is the first financial aid application to be completed in order to be eligible for TN Promise and TN Reconnect, and other scholarships. Many scholarships programs have strict application deadlines such as TNachieves community service requires specific number of hours to be turned in every semester and to be submitted at a specific date and time.
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Meet your academic advisors
Meeting with your academic advisors on a regular basis allows you to stay on track helps you establish a graduation plan. Your advisor can provide information and resources to promote academic progress. Having a good connection with your academic advisor empowers you to take the responsibility for academic success.
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Connect with student services
A student service program provides students with extra assistance and guidance whenever a student encounter challenges in their studies, and it could be academic or personal matters. It is also a support network that helps students cope with stress, and other emotional challenges.
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Tutoring Service
Tutoring service is an integral part of many students' success. Reach out to your tutoring department in the campus in time of needs to help your academic goal. College campus tutoring are mostly free of charge. You can also ask for peer tutoring or create a study buddy which is more preferable for many students to encourage one another. If you are a new student, workload can be overwhelming and having a tutor on the side can provide support.
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Financial Aid advising service
A college financial aid service is a good resource for exploring ways to pay for college for both parents and students. Also, a place where you can obtain information about financial aid and scholarships deadlines, tuition, and college cost statement. Financial adviser can guide you through the aid application and distribution process, and helps you if you ever need to take out loans and assist with loan payment plan and options.
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Career Center
Connect with career specialist in your college campus. A Career Adviser can assist with finding a job, creating resume, and cover letter, they can help with job interviews and how to answer questions in concise and effective way. Your adviser can also help you connect with work study, career counseling, and discover your talent and will help you connect with internship opportunity and on-and-off campus job.
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IT Support Department
IT department can assist you with technical issues or questions such as downloading a necessary software on your computer and teach you how to use a program. IT can also assist with data back up, registering school email accounts, check grades, and connecting your laptop to the college network, and etc.
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Campus Library
Utilize campus library. It is another place where you can study quietly and have your own space to work on research and projects. It is a place of many resources, making connections, and building up support groups.
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Disability Services
College disability service provides support to students with disability accommodation and services to enhance the students' access to a class or other college functions. It also provides support to student with learning, cognitive or other types of disabilities.
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University or College Health Clinic
A place to visit when you are sick, especially if you are living in a campus. They provide medical and mental health services and most campus health centers offer wellness advice and advanced services for complex illnesses and injuries.
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Campus Wellness Center
Utilize the campus wellness center. A good work out or exercise helps improve mental and psychological well-being, and helps reduce stress. By engaging in a regular exercise, fosters positivity which lead to an overall positive experience in the campus.
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Writing Center​
Writing center offers support ti improve students writing skills. Also provides assistance with essay structure, grammar, research style, citations, and provides constructive feedback.
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Campus Food Pantry​​​
College food pantry helps students with challenges associated with food insecurity and hunger to allow students to stay focus on their studies.
