How can you help students overcome academic burnout?

Look for support from university advice centers for counseling and guidance. Don't hesitate to talk about mental health challenges. Healing from past trauma is possible. If university resources are unavailable, reach out to friends, online communities, or empathetic leaders. Journaling and nature walks combat academic burnout. Connecting with a community, gym workouts, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helped me during my PhD. Advanced therapies like EMDR, IFS, and Somatic Therapy address past trauma effectively, they require more investment but something you can do later on. There are numerous ways to find support and overcome struggles. Never feel ashamed! Never!

Physical activity is known to reduce stress levels by decreasing the body's stress hormones, like cortisol, and stimulating the production of endorphins, the body's natural mood elevators. Lower stress levels can help mitigate the feelings of burnout. Regular exercise can also improve sleep quality, which is crucial for cognitive function, concentration, and overall mental health. Better sleep can help students recover from the mental demands of academic work. Furthermore, exercise has been shown to improve brain function. It increases heart rate, which pumps more oxygen to the brain. It also aids the release of various hormones which provide an excellent environment for the growth of brain cells.

One thing that I find helpful and learners have responded to positively in my course evaluations is my weekly “Check-in.” This is an intentional moment set aside for learners to share how they are feeling in the moment, class related or otherwise. I’ve used check-ins during in-person seminars as well as during synchronous online learning. As one would imagine, the smaller the class size the more intimate the dialogue can be from week to week. However, during my online courses students are encouraged to type how they are doing and classmates share advice or provide encouragement based on respective responses. Further, as the instructor of record, I, too, engage in check-ins so that I set the example of being vulnerable to the learners.

Academic burnout is a very real thing that can affect both students and staff. It’s important to foster a culture of open conversation, where you openly discuss burnout and allow students to voice their thoughts. Preventing students from reaching burnout is the goal.

Es muy importante q los estudiantes se den cuenta q los educadores hemos percibido su agotamiento académico. Un buen resultado es empezar a activar diferentes estrategias creativas en el aula q despierten su curiosidad y les permitan resignificar el escenario de la clase. Se puede aplicar: Actividades artísticas, Gasificación, Tutoria por medio del uso de herramientas tecnológicas, Trabajo colaborativo, Recreos mentales. Estas estrategias se pueden integrar con todos los espacios curriculares

Pour aider les étudiants à surmonter l'épuisement scolaire en favorisant un environnement favorable : 1. Mettre en place des espaces de détente et de relaxation dans l'établissement, comme des zones de repos ou des jardins. 2. Organiser des ateliers de gestion du stress et de mindfulness pour enseigner des techniques de relaxation. 3. Encourager une culture de soutien et de bienveillance, où les élèves peuvent parler ouvertement de leurs défis. 4. Intégrer des pauses régulières et des activités ludiques dans le programme scolaire pour réduire la pression et favoriser l'équilibre. Ces initiatives créent un environnement plus accueillant et moins stressant, aidant les élèves à gérer efficacement leur charge de travail.

Acredito que o ambiente académico acolhedor, de partilhas e trocas é importante pra saber que não estamos só nessa trajetória muitas vezes solitárias, mas que tem outras histórias que se cruzam com a nossa história, e muitas vezes é mais pesada que a nossa... Um ambiente de compartilhamento sem hierarquia de relações horizontais e espaço para trocas torna esse caminho mais leve. Experimentei isso nesse semestre em duas disciplinas muito acolhedoras e de muito afeto.

When students are passionate about what they are learning, they are more engaged and motivated. This intrinsic motivation can make studying feel less like a chore and more like a fulfilling activity, reducing feelings of exhaustion and cynicism associated with burnout. Moreover, a passion for learning can help students develop resilience in the face of challenges. They are more likely to view difficulties as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than as insurmountable obstacles, thereby reducing stress and frustration.

It's crucial that when a teacher suspects a possibility of burnout in a student, they familiarize themselves with the challenges the student might be facing in their personal life. This is particularly vital for two key groups: Students in initial training, as they navigate a pivotal period transitioning from adolescence to entering the workforce, a phase marked by significant personal changes. Learners in ongoing vocational training, who might grapple with substantial challenges either in their profession or within their family life. Given that addressing such issues may surpass the teacher's expertise or availability, they should not hesitate to seek assistance from their administration to effectively manage the situation.