Study burnout

[aelf]

Have you ever felt that after a long sustained effort in studies, you just cannot continue with such efforts anymore? Have you ever felt that your mind becomes dull, you begin to forget stuff that you've learned before, your posting on CFC becomes uninspired, and you wonder why you don't quite hit the right notes anymore? Have you ever felt that you have become terribly unproductive and have diminished interest in intellectual pursuits and just want a good break?

If you do, you are probably experiencing a study burnout. The symptoms include:

long term fatigue, intellectual exhaustion, inability of the brain to absorb more information, an unwillingness to study further, a decline in academic performance and apathy toward educational topics. [1]

I think I'm there right now, and it's terribly annoying. I have another major exam to go, one that I don't particularly like, and a few minor ones that, although quite inconsequential, would be nice to not do too badly in. But I haven't had a good break at all and won't be getting one soon.

Well, the story is, due to prevailing circumstances, I had effectively 5 deadlines to meet at the beginning of this term. All the essay-based modules that I did from autumn to spring had their assessed essays due on the same day and I had an exam for intermediate microeconomics, which I was particularly apprehensive about as it was probably my weakest subject. I tried to plan it such that I had enough time to do them, and with the exception of the last essay, I had quite enough. Unfortunately, that meant doing everything in succession with no breaks in between, even though that was during my term vacation. Well, there was some economies of scale involved in this, as I was constantly in 'operational readiness'.

So that took up the entire 5 weeks of my spring break plus one week. I went on holiday for about 5 days at the beginning of break, but I practically finished reading a philosophy book that I needed to refer to heavily for one my essays while I was away, so it was not an unproductive time.

A few weeks into it, my productivity had declined noticeably, and thus the remaining time was getting tighter. It was such that I ended up with about a day or two short for my last essay, which was hence done sub-optimally. At the end of the pretty grueling 6 weeks or so, I gave myself a few days' break, though I really had more work to do. Two days later, though, I was already applying for summer internships, and after that I began studying again, now for the advanced macroeconomics exam that will be in the middle of the second half of term, on top of doing my regular seminar work.

Now here I am, having essentially studied for more than 2 months straight with only a few days of real holiday, and I'm feeling like crap. I take hours just to read a few pages of my macroeconomic textbook. Previously, I played some games when I felt like this to relax myself, but my gaming time got longer and longer. Since a few days ago, I've not touched games at all to stop the downward spiral, but I still don't get any more work done.

I like the politics module that I'm doing this term, but I've practically given up on reading the text in preparation for tomorrow's seminar. Instead, I'm just reading a related comic-like presentation of the content that my tutor sent and obsessing over my laptop's security since my email account apparently got hacked for a while or something. Fortunately, the module is on Marx, and I already know quite a bit so it won't be too bad.

Anyway, pardon the long rant-like narration. Has anyone experienced or is anyone experiencing something similar? Any tips on what to do to overcome the lethargy? And to get rid of the buzzing mind-numbing stress that makes relaxation time unrefreshing?

 

[Bill3000]

Have you ever felt that after a long sustained effort in studies, you just cannot continue with such efforts anymore?

No, because I never need to study.

 

[aelf]

I looked at the first link under similar threads, and it seems that most people on CFC are pretty lazy At least I try to, even though I fail utterly sometimes. Like now.

Sorry, but my IQ is only average, so I suppose I can't always get away without studying.

 

[Kerozine]

Have you been procrastinating with regards to your studies?

 

[pau17]

Sounds like most people I know, to be honest. Unfortunately that's what being a student often means these days. Tired, confused, disillusioned, with a survivalist attitude of finishing at all costs. Learning for its own sake? Optional reading? Pfff!! Do these people realize how little sleep I'm getting already?

There's no magic trick other than what you see people doing already. Some like to exercise to boost their endorphins; some drink copious amounts of caffeine; some abuse prescription drugs that help one concentrate (I don't but it is rampant among students, apparently). Nothing will make you skip and whistle through your excessive amounts of homework and prevent you from becoming disillusioned with learning and lose part of your soul--it will just barely prevent you from having a nervous breakdown, and that's all you can ask for.

 

[Bill3000]

I looked at the first link under similar threads, and it seems that most people on CFC are pretty lazy At least I try to, even though I fail utterly sometimes. Like now.

Sorry, but my IQ is only average, so I suppose I can't always get away without studying.

Well, I said that I didn't need to study, not that I don't have academic problems, especially procrastination. My unwillingness to work in school seems to hit on earlier and earlier in the semester and it can lead to disastrous results. I really have no sense of academic responsibility, and it's pretty weird because I have some perfectionist tendencies. As a result, I often get Bs when I easily can get As if I put some effort in class.

 

[Orange Seeds]

I've been there for the last month, only recovering now.

I will no longer take the maximum term credits i promise!

 

[aelf]

Have you been procrastinating with regards to your studies?

Hmm... you think?

Sounds like most people I know, to be honest. Unfortunately that's what being a student often means these days. Tired, confused, disillusioned, with a survivalist attitude of finishing at all costs. Learning for its own sake? Optional reading? Pfff!! Do these people realize how little sleep I'm getting already?

There's no magic trick other than what you see people doing already. Some like to exercise to boost their endorphins; some drink copious amounts of caffeine; some abuse prescription drugs that help one concentrate (I don't but it is rampant among students, apparently). Nothing will make you skip and whistle through your excessive amounts of homework and prevent you from becoming disillusioned with learning and lose part of your soul--it will just barely prevent you from having a nervous breakdown, and that's all you can ask for.

I'm not disillusioned. I absolutely see the importance of studying. I even see the importance of studying economics even though my other module is basically about how completely absurd it is!

Caffeine is actually bad, and I don't see how exercise will help when it would make me tired. Yeah, I'm aware of the benefits of physical activity, but I'm just not positive exercise will make me more capable of reading a wall of text about the Phillips curve or commodity fetishism. In fact, it will probably make me restless and impatient (like caffeine).

But, yeah, I suppose those are the only options. Maybe a bit of ranting like now will help. My girlfriend is already sick of listening, so she doesn't serve that purpose anymore.

 

[pau17]

Caffeine is actually bad

Do you mean bad in your particular case because of its effects on you, or because it's unhealthy?

If the former: even tea makes you jittery? It's supposed to have chemicals that make the caffeine less jolting in it. Excercise will make you physically tired in the short run but if you haven't tried a regular program of 20-30 minutes, 3-4 times a week to experience what a consistent rush of endorphins can do to your mental functioning, you owe it to yourself to try. Exercise also helps with bloodflow, and thus your cognitive functioning. You'd be surprised; it really does help, but it's tough to keep it up and doing it just here and there is not going to help you.

Now, if you don't drink caffeine because you think it's unhealthy and are a purist, then this isn't nearly as grave as I thought. You aren't mentally exhausted and "unable to study" until you are going sleepless 3-4 nights a week, engaging in self-destructive behaviors (like drinking way too much caffeine), and nearing a nervous breakdown. If you aren't at that point yet, there's far more you can squeeze out of yourself. Now carry on, old chap!

 

[aelf]

Well, I said that I didn't need to study, not that I don't have academic problems, especially procrastination. My unwillingness to work in school seems to hit on earlier and earlier in the semester and it can lead to disastrous results. I really have no sense of academic responsibility, and it's pretty weird because I have some perfectionist tendencies. As a result, I often get Bs when I easily can get As if I put some effort in class.

Yeah, I get what you mean. There are some subjects that I can do well in with minimal work, but there are some that I know I'd be much better off in if I could just put in more effort.

I guess I never had the habit of crazy studying. I breezed through school up to my O Levels, and only felt real pressure at my A Levels. And then I had to go to the army for 2 years and only began uni about 3 years after. That certainly killed off any budding disposition for hard gritty work.

I've been there for the last month, only recovering now.

I will no longer take the maximum term credits i promise!

Yeah, I kind of took the maximum credits for this year. But that's what people usually do (140 credits 2nd year, 100 3rd year). I guess it doesn't help that the difficult modules, for me at least, are all in this year and come successively. I also happen to be taking 2 extra language classes. Not a good choice, perhaps, but I felt that I must continue or last year's efforts would be a waste.

Usually, my performance is at peak at the start and at the end of term. But that is provided I have a few weeks' break to recover before the start of the term. None of that this time.

The depressing thing is summer internship would probably take up most of my summer break. And I have to do an essay during that time too. The future is bleak.

Do you mean bad in your particular case because of its effects on you, or because it's unhealthy?

If the former: even tea makes you jittery? It's supposed to have chemicals that make the caffeine less jolting in it. Excercise will make you physically tired in the short run but if you haven't tried a regular program of 20-30 minutes, 3-4 times a week to experience what a consistent rush of endorphins can do to your mental functioning, you owe it to yourself to try. Exercise also helps with bloodflow, and thus your cognitive functioning. You'd be surprised; it really does help, but it's tough to keep it up and doing it just here and there is not going to help you.

No, it makes me very restless and impatient, so it's actually counter-productive. I mean that for caffeine and, to a lesser extent, exercise. Tea is fine, but it makes no real difference.

I think I get endorphin rush by playing games, but I've stopped since they are taking up more and more time. There is another activity, but I actually don't feel like studying after that. It's like exercise.

Now, if you don't drink caffeine because you think it's unhealthy and are a purist, then this isn't nearly as grave as I thought. You aren't mentally exhausted and "unable to study" until you are going sleepless 3-4 nights a week, engaging in self-destructive behaviors (like drinking way too much caffeine), and nearing a nervous breakdown. If you aren't at that point yet, there's far more you can squeeze out of yourself. Now carry on, old chap!

I knew something like this would come up Yes, I've been trying to stay up, partly to meet goals that are increasingly unattainable each day. But I don't think I'd be able to do anything before I hit the point you're talking about.

 

[Kerozine]

Hmm... you think?

That might be why.

 

[pau17]

Also, inability to retain information sounds like sleep deprivation. Sleep apparently strips down your neurons during the night of all the noise and preserves what you learned or practiced that day, priming your brain to build up new connections the next day. It's like squeezing water out of a sponge, so if you aren't sleeping, you can't absorb new things. Of course, sometimes you have too much work to sleep, but if you aren't sleeping at least 6-7 hours a night, give that a try too.

 

[Masada]

Yeah, I get what you mean. There are some subjects that I can do well in with minimal work, but there are some that I know I'd be much better off in if I could just put in more effort.

Diminishing returns and all that. I've never studied in the conventional read your textbook, do questions and look at the readings. I'm more of a read whatever literature I have on hand or can get on hand for the subject, looks the readings and find some other ones. I quite often don't even buy the textbook if I can get away with it or attend lectures... I still do alright but I prefer to have a broad knowledge about the subject rather than the narrow one that listening to a given lecturer often imparts.

If exams are going to be easy I don't study and usually do alright... but if exams are looking to be difficult I study and usually do far better than I would other have. There's a point at which the difficulty stimulates my interest and I can be bothered studying predictably with everything being relatively easy atm I can't be bothered studying !

 

[aelf]

That might be why.

Uh, I'm procrastinating cause I'm procrastinating? Huh?

Also, inability to retain information sounds like sleep deprivation. Sleep apparently strips down your neurons during the night of all the noise and preserves what you learned or practiced that day, priming your brain to build up new connections the next day. It's like squeezing water out of a sponge, so if you aren't sleeping, you can't absorb new things. Of course, sometimes you have too much work to sleep, but if you aren't sleeping at least 6-7 hours a night, give that a try too.

Yeah, that is why I still sleep. I do actually feel that I remember better after sleeping.

What I'm going to try and do is to go light for a day or two and try to think positively. Hopefully, that would reset my mind a bit.

Diminishing returns and all that. I've never studied in the conventional read your textbook, do questions and look at the readings. I'm more of a read whatever literature I have on hand or can get on hand for the subject, looks the readings and find some other ones. I quite often don't even buy the textbook if I can get away with it or attend lectures... I still do alright but I prefer to have a broad knowledge about the subject rather than the narrow one that listening to a given lecturer often imparts.

If exams are going to be easy I don't study and usually do alright... but if exams are looking to be difficult I study and usually do far better than I would other have. There's a point at which the difficulty stimulates my interest and I can be bothered studying predictably with everything being relatively easy atm I can't be bothered studying !

There is no choice for economics, though, unless you're just gifted.

I don't really need to study for Marx, but I still need to do some reading to be more contextual in my approach. I have quite a lot of background knowledge, but the module is mostly on a specific text.

 

[Orange Seeds]

Yeah, I kind of took the maximum credits for this year. But that's what people usually do (140 credits 2nd year, 100 3rd year). I guess it doesn't help that the difficult modules, for me at least, are all in this year and come successively. I also happen to be taking 2 extra language classes. Not a good choice, perhaps, but I felt that I must continue or last year's efforts would be a waste.

I found it very frustrating this year to see that most scholarships and accolades went to those who were only taking around 60% of max credits.

In fact i can count on one hand the number of people that i know who are in the 3.7-4.0 range that did take the max. course load.

I also found that having so much school completed exhausted my intellectual interest. I was a chronic writer, reader and thinker and had an enourmous degree of will power to follow that interest; i am still far from where i was last summer in that regard and i find the feeling despairing.

 

[aelf]

I found it very frustrating this year to see that most scholarships and accolades went to those who were only taking around 60% of max credits.

In fact i can count on one hand the number of people that i know who are in the 3.7-4.0 range that did take the max. course load.

Yup. We have to study smart sometimes.

That's kind of what I did with O Levels. I had 9 full subjects, but I really focused on 6-7, since your 6 best subjects were all that was counted. To that effect, I hardly studied for Chemistry and Advanced Mathematics, since they were my weakest subjects and also the ones I was least interested in. The result: I did more than well enough to go to a good college and do what I wanted to do.

In essence, don't study everything and choose areas to focus on. I still do that. Some modules don't lend themselves well to such an approach though (namely the ever evil economics for me).

I also found that having so much school completed exhausted my intellectual interest. I was a chronic writer, reader and thinker and had an enourmous degree of will power to follow that interest; i am still far from where i was last summer in that regard and i find the feeling despairing.

Yeah. It comes out even in my posting.

Maybe I need to post less.

 

[Masada]

There is no choice for economics, though, unless you're just gifted.

That's more or less what I did for economics as well. I found that teaching others was an easy way to order and place the concepts in somewhere other than my mind. I understood them fairly instinctively but if I don't talk about them I have no end of trouble expressing my understanding in words or on a graph. I've always been inept at explaining myself which is a product of my idiosyncratic thinking instead of a lack of understanding on my part.

I don't really need to study for Marx, but I still need to do some reading to be more contextual in my approach. I have quite a lot of background knowledge, but the module is mostly on a specific text.

That's me for anything involving lots of text. I don't study I just devour a mass of information test it against whatever literature I can get my hands on and work accordingly - I might look in the textbook if I need specific terminology for something.

Yeah. It comes out even in my posting.

Maybe I need to post less.

CFC and OT especially is great for refreshing the batteries, you can rant, rave and expound upon whatever position you want in a whole host of topical subjects (it's also improved my ability to write expressively and coherently (by other peoples standards) so I'm quite fond of the place )

 

[Narz]

I got burned out on studying 10 years ago.

I learn more (and retain better) when I don't force myself to memorize gobs of data short-term. This is why I never liked school.

 

[aelf]

That's more or less what I did for economics as well. I found that teaching others was an easy way to order and place the concepts in somewhere other than my mind. I understood them fairly instinctively but if I don't talk about them I have no end of trouble expressing my understanding in words or on a graph. I've always been inept at explaining myself which is a product of my idiosyncratic thinking instead of a lack of understanding on my part.

What level of economics did you take?

Intermediate level economics is pretty detailed. I'm not sure how much of this stuff I'm able to retain, even though I've seen them before in simpler versions. At least macro is not as mathematical as micro. I hadn't been doing math for years and didn't do well for advanced math the last time at O Levels, so it was a real struggle.

CFC and OT especially is great for refreshing the batteries, you can rant, rave and expound upon whatever position you want in a whole host of topical subjects (it's also improved my ability to write expressively and coherently (by other peoples standards) so I'm quite fond of the place )

Yeah, CFC usually helps to keep my mind on the ball and able to focus on complex trains of thought even while relaxing. But lately I find that I've been having a more difficult time remembering things and constructing and phrasing arguments. Basically, it's not helping to give my mind confidence.

I got burned out on studying 10 years ago.

I learn more (and retain better) when I don't force myself to memorize gobs of data short-term. This is why I never liked school.

For me, school has always been what you make of it. I see plenty of kids who hardly get anything from school. Personally, I find it great. But that's because I have my own agenda for learning and set myself directions and choose topics that I have interest in.

 

[Masada]

What level of economics did you take?

Up to advanced for both which is the third level of economics here enough to complete an economics degree apparently.

At least macro is not as mathematical as micro.

I far prefer macro for that reason - although the math involved in micro typically isn't all that much.