Essential Tips for Avoiding Burnout at University

About the author: My name is Sophie Layton, and I’m an MA International Public & Political Communication and BSc Biology graduate from the University of Sheffield. I am currently the Managing Editor of WILD Magazine, Editor of Ed Fringe Review, and Newsletter Editor for the Essex International Jamboree, as well as former Arts & Theatre Editor of Forge Press. I am also the Digital Media Officer for the Student Publication Association. I am a keen thespian with the Sheffield University Theatre Company, with interests in culture, LGBTQ+ issues and political science.

University is awash with opportunity; there’s your degree, part-time work, extracurricular activities, socialising and a whole manner of extra clubs, tasks and roles for you to get involved in. With so much opportunity all in one place, it can be all too easy to over-commit, burning out in spectacular fashion under a mountain of responsibility. But fear not, overachiever: here are my top tips for making the most of your time, whilst avoiding putting your eggs in one too many baskets.

Be realistic, not optimistic 💁

When opportunity arises, it can be all too easy to jump right in, sign up, and get involved in something you never knew you wanted to (maybe because a week ago you didn’t know this thing existed!). But hold your horses, adventurer! Take a minute, and ask yourself whether this is something you actually want to get involved with, or whether you’re taking opportunity for opportunity’s sake – you’ll save a lot of time (and money) in the long run if you do!

Practise prioritising ✅

We all have our range of interests; some will have a broad variety, some a more concentrated assortment, but we all will have some interests that are stronger than others. If you’re seeking to avoid burnout, consider which of your hobbies or activities you are most passionate about, and prioritise that. From here you can later adjust your timetable as you get settled, encompassing more hobbies as your time and capacity allow.

Time is money 🤑

Knowing what time you have available is the single biggest advantage that you can give yourself in order to avoid a burnout – my Google Calendar and I have developed a semi-symbiotic relationship at this point! Whether you track every minute of your day or just use it for important things, a calendar app can be a fantastic way to visualise just how much time you have to spare if you decide to add another string to your bow. Once you’ve added your university contact hours, self-study, your job, and other commitments, you will be able to see plainly just how much time you truly have, and whether taking on an extra responsibility or activity will push you too far.

Life is better with boundaries 💙

Even once you’ve gotten involved in a range of activities – or even just the one that appeals to you most – boundary setting is not only healthy for both you and the group you’re part of, but essential to ensuring it remains an enjoyable and positive environment to be in. If there’s a day of the week you can’t (or don’t want) to do, be sure to say so! And even if this is just setting boundaries with yourself in your day-to-day life, ensuring you have time for yourself to let your hair down (however you see fit) should be a need, not a want!

Saying “no" is always an option 🙅

The bottom line always comes down to my central tenet – if you want to avoid burning out, don’t be afraid to say no! A mistake I've made many times, you should never feel under pressure to take up any activity, especially if you’re already feeling the strain. Even if you’re already neck-deep in time commitments, being ready to pull back and recalibrate at any point is key to avoiding burnout, especially if you feel it approaching.

Sharing is caring 💬

If the dreaded burnout does hit, the best resolution is to give yourself as much space and time as possible. Speak to those around you to let them know, and see if there’s anything you can pass on to another colleague, committee member or group member. Give yourself the time off to recover and recuperate, before easing yourself back into things, remembering that you are far more important than any other task you may have. However, prevention is always better than cure, so try to avoid getting to this point, and you will enjoy getting involved much more!

Starting to feel burnout creeping in? Then it might be time for some self care – read our blog post on how you can support your wellbeing at university for advice on looking after your mind.

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