How to Avoid Study Burnout: 5 Smart Habits for Students
Five simple habits that help you study smarter, protect your wellbeing and keep your energy up all year.
August 14, 2023 · By Arushi Dubey
Long nights, endless subjects and the constant pressure to keep up can leave even the most motivated students feeling exhausted. Burnout does not just make studying miserable: it makes it far less effective. The good news is that a few simple habits, built early in the school year, can keep your energy and your grades up, whether you are at school in Dubai or anywhere else in the world. Here are five that make a real difference.
Simplify Your Studying
As the school year begins, spending about two hours reviewing the content you have learnt throughout the day, or thoroughly studying one or two new topics, is likely to be far more effective than consistently studying several subjects for hours on end. Figure out which study method works best for you and use it to your advantage, so that you retain a high level of knowledge in a short period of time. Finally, before you start studying, make sure you have done enough research and gathered all the resources available to you.
Work with an Expert
If guidance or advice is needed, it is best for students in middle school or high school to consult an expert who can offer them help. This could be a teacher, a tutor or a guidance counsellor. Whoever it may be, chances are they can offer you one-to-one support and provide you with tips on how to study effectively and plan out your revision sessions.
Prioritise Organisation
Staying organised throughout the academic year is likely to be the most beneficial thing you can do as a student. Plan out when and how you are going to study, whether that means making a schedule specifically catered to your needs or simply planning your day as you wake up. Having some level of organisation gives you the opportunity not only to study well, but also to have time to yourself, which is incredibly important for your mental health and wellbeing.
Take Notes
Taking notes throughout the semester will be essential for your revision. Taking notes during class saves time and acts as a very valuable resource when it comes to going over content you have learned and need to revise for an upcoming exam. It also lets you write down anything important, including any tips the teacher might have mentioned. Furthermore, writing information down by hand can be a very useful memorisation tactic for some students, especially if your notes follow a colour scheme (for example, blue notes for English and green for Maths).
Give Yourself Time Off
On days that you study, make sure there are designated time slots for you to take breaks. During these breaks you can do some physical exercise, watch a film, or do practically anything that lifts your mood. Also, decide on a point after which you stop studying for the day (for example, no studying after 8:30pm). Studying late at night can be far less effective, especially if you are fatigued. It is best to start your revision early in the morning, when you feel fresh and rejuvenated.
The Bottom Line
Avoiding burnout is not about studying less, it is about studying smarter. Keep your sessions focused, stay organised, lean on the experts around you and protect your time off. Your grades, and your wellbeing, will thank you for it. Good luck!
Arushi Dubey
Student writer for the Unitors blog, sharing study and wellbeing tips for school students.
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