As the weather gets warmer and the end of the school year finally seems tangible, a word is becoming more and more common: senioritis. When asked if they are experiencing burnout, CLC students had a lot to say.

“Yes. I try to think that the weekend is x amount away. I’m really just trying to get through.” – Kendrick Flannigan (senior)

“Do I look refreshed to you? Yes, of course I’m burnt out! To combat burnout, I meditate regularly. It helps to center and also helps in alleviating stress and anxiety among other things.” – Anonymous

“Burnout, especially as a senior, is upsetting because you are trying to enjoy your last few months here. It’s really sad that we are supposed to be enjoying our time, but it is instead tainted with stress and anxiety.” – Kate Garton (senior)

sen·ior·i·tis

/ˌsēnyəˈrīdəs/

Learn to pronounce

noun HUMOROUS•US

1. a supposed affliction of students in their final year of high school or college, characterized by a decline in motivation or performance.

No matter what grade you are in or what part of the educational system, you must be feeling burnout to some degree. (I procrastinated writing this article for two months.) We have spent months in the seemingly endless cycle of learning, studying, taking tests, repeat. If you do feel burnout, that doesn’t mean you are a bad student! It might mean that you’re doing your best and are simply ready for summer (or college.) Wherever you sit, below are some pieces of advice I have compiled to help you through the final push.

• Good nutrition – I often find myself forgetting to eat or drink water some days which leads to exhaustion or a crash later in the day. To help combat this, dedicate time for healthy snacks (or unhealthy in moderation) or pack a lunch for the following day. It’s never a good idea to just drink coffee. It’s not a meal. 
• Relaxation – With the busy schedule of a teenager, sometimes we forget to take well-deserved breaks. Set aside time to relax in a way that is fitting for you. This might mean journaling, meditating, drawing, or even taking a nap. There is no harm in that! It goes without saying to get enough sleep every night. If you find yourself up at three a.m cramming for a test, you might be setting yourself back. If there is still homework to be done when midnight rolls around, save it for tomorrow. No grade is worth hurting yourself over. There is also no “catching up on sleep.” Once it’s gone, it’s gone and the lasting health effects are detrimental.
• Keeping assignments organized – If you don’t have a way of staying organized with your assignments this far, I have no idea what you are doing or how you are able to function. If you don’t keep track of due dates, chances are your grades will suffer, leading to more stress! The end of the school year should be relaxing and fun, not a time to expedite turning in assignments from week four. 
• Finding time for friends – Keeping in touch with close friends is incredibly important especially now that the pandemic is approaching an endemic phase. Being with friends is a great way to unwind and be social while taking your mind off the stressors of life. Being with others in the same position as you will help you realize that you aren’t alone and the stress you face is common among others. So get some friends and get a study group together or go out for coffee or go see a movie. Enjoy the people around you while you are still together before college.
• Get help – If it gets bad and you feel too overwhelmed, never be afraid to reach out for help. There are many available support systems in the school that can help students cope with the stress they face when it gets to be unhealthy. Remember that you are never alone and the teachers you have want to see you succeed and be happy with life.

Burnout is manageable as long as you take care of your physical and mental wellbeing. I hope these tips are useful as we push through to the end of the school year. Go Tigers!

Where I drew inspiration:

https://www.hingehealth.com/blog/8-ways-to-combat-burnout-and-improve-your-mental-health/