The first marking period of the school year can feel like a whirlwind—go, go, go all the time, with little opportunity to stop and take a break. Homework, quizzes, and tests seem to pile up with no end in sight, and for a while, it’s easy to rise to the challenge. I know I tell myself that all I need to do is focus on getting through this week: study for countless summative, push through weeknight ballet classes and try to maintain some degree of a healthy social life. However, a crash is inevitable. 

I, along with many of my peers, am experiencing “burn-out.” According to Psychology Today, burn-out is a state of exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. Burn-out has become such a common phenomenon that, according to CNN, it has become an official medical diagnosis. I’m not at the point that I have a diagnosed condition, but I’m feeling the effects of the sheer accumulation of stress. 

1) Plan Your Time

Time management is your friend. It’s also a skill, and it won’t develop overnight. I know that this is one of the most cliche pieces of advice, but I promise you that it’s so important. Literally just planning your time out can be a stress reliever. When all of the items on your to-do list are just floating around in your head, it can be very overwhelming. Writing down everything you need to do and all of your commitments can help plan out your time efficiently as well as relieve some stress. 

2) Evaluate Your Commitments

Not all activities are created equal. If something doesn’t bring you joy, consider dropping it. I know it might be hard to do, but it will improve your mental health in the long run. Don’t join clubs or extracurriculars for the sake of being “busy,” or just to put them on a college application. Instead, choose and participate in activities that you are passionate about, and really commit yourself to them. It will make the work you do more enjoyable, and you will get more satisfaction from your accomplishments. 

3) Use Your Resources

Ask for help! It’s already almost halfway through the semester, and the pace of most classes are picking up. You’ve heard it a hundred times, but it really is so important to ask for help when you need it. Otherwise, you’ll be even more confused later on in the course. Even if you don’t have time to meet with your teachers one-on-one, there are still other ways to learn material that you might be struggling with. Khan Academy, Albert.io, YouTube review videos and just talking to your classmates are all great ways to get the hang of content. 

4) Make Time for Yourself

Whether it be spending Saturday nights with your closest friends or taking a couple of hours to watch your favorite show, find ways to destress. I know that if I don’t take the time to do something for myself, I will for sure crash. No one can grind 24/7 without inflicting unnecessary stress upon themselves. Sometimes, the best thing you can do to increase your productivity is to just take a break.