It can be tempting to assume everyone at uni is working ten times harder than you, and the only solution is to pile more and more work on yourself. Even if it’s not realistic to assume you can dedicate yourself to factory levels of output to keep up, it can feel demeaning when you don’t live up to impossible standards. The reality is that most students will deal with academic burnout, and productivity shouldn’t come at the cost of your sanity. Here are five tips for when you feel that exhaustion starting to creep up on you.
Mandatory rest days
Allocating time in your schedule to take a break might feel counter-productive if you want the best results, but resting is equally as crucial as working in terms of a healthy work-life balance. Leaving all your work to the night before, however used to it you might be, will probably just leave you wiped out and bed-ridden like a Victorian child for the week after. By purposely giving yourself days off, you avoid the academic burnout choosing the worst possible time to show itself to spite you.
Choose hobbies carefully
If you find that guilt eats at you as soon as you put your laptop away, I would recommend hobbies that are mentally stimulating. Puzzles and crosswords (or cryptic crosswords for an extra challenge—I like the Guardian Quick Cryptic) are challenging, yet actually fun. Board games in particular can be a good excuse to have friends around and support each other. These sorts of activities give off a similar satisfaction to studying and make me feel like I’m being purposeful with how I spend my time.
If, instead, you find that your intense workload makes it hard to devote brain power to much else, I would recommend a creative or skill-based hobby. Playing the guitar is a go-to for me as a stress reliever. I also love crocheting because there’s something physical to show for it when it’s done. Fighting the urge to doomscroll on Instagram Reels or TikTok is easier said than done, but the feeling of wasting time is never going to recharge you. At my lowest point of energy, I find that even watching a comfort film feels better than spending time on my phone.
Get out of the house
It’s important not to stay inside your uni dorm 24/7 (no matter how pain-staking it was to decorate). I used to be frustrated by the advice that I should go on a walk. Then, I took it seriously and was nearly more frustrated by how well it worked! It can be easy to overlook seemingly obvious advice like this, but even studying away from home can break up your schedule and help avoid academic burnout. My libraries are separated by subject area so I like to infiltrate the STEM library and pretend I’m disguised as one of them to stop myself getting bored.
Joining a sports society is also a great way to have regular time outdoors whilst also staying social so you don’t accidentally isolate yourself. Having it as a commitment—especially if you have to pay—will keep you motivated to attend. There are always a wide range of options to choose from which helps. Here at Cardiff University where I study, they offer things like archery and ultimate Frisbee alongside more traditional sports like cycling and athletics; you are bound to find something you like. Check out some of the weirdest societies offered around the UK.
Be realistic with yourself
Even though we would all like to work 40 hours a week, it’s not always feasible or even necessary. Living up to daunting goals is most likely going to lead to dwindling motivation and overall less work achieved. If you have a part-time job like me, or other considerable commitments like being a carer, cramming uni work into a schedule that is already intensive is going to leave you feeling like a failure.
I like to set a hard rule that I don’t study more than one hour on the weekend because I work those days. Trying to get through uni work after a shift usually leads to time spent poorly because I take so long to come up with ideas or process information. I also like to give myself an ample lunch break each day. That way, I don’t feel like I’m on the clock when I’m eating. Knowing your limits might take some trial and error, but I’m sure you’ll find it intuitive to know when your body is asking for a break.
Use university resources.
If you feel burned out more often then not and not much is helping, it might be time to reach out. Universities will often have trained counsellors to help you. Otherwise, contacting lecturers to help with your workload if you are struggling might surprise you—they are often very willing to help and make adjustments. Every time I speak to a lecturer or seminar leader they are super empathetic and helped without judgement.
In Cardiff, they run workshops on time management and other key study skills, so it might be worth looking at what your uni offers to help your academic burnout. If you need more wellbeing advice, have a look at our health and wellbeing resources here.
FAQs on Avoiding Academic Burnout
Academic burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged study stress. It often leads to lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating, and reduced academic performance if not addressed early.
Students can prevent burnout by planning study sessions with regular breaks, maintaining healthy sleep routines, exercising, and staying connected with friends. Breaking work into manageable chunks helps avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Common signs include constant tiredness, irritability, lack of focus, procrastination, and loss of interest in studies or social life. Ignoring these signs can make recovery harder, so recognising them early is important.
Using planners, prioritising tasks, and setting realistic deadlines can make workloads manageable. Techniques like the Pomodoro method, where you work in focused bursts with breaks, are effective for maintaining productivity without overworking.
Universities often provide wellbeing services, counselling, and academic support for struggling students. Talking to personal tutors, reaching out to friends, and using student support networks can make a big difference in recovery from burnout.