8 Ways to Avoid Burnout as an Online Student

Burnout is no joke, especially not when you're an online college student. One week you can be in the zone, tackling and getting things done. And then the next, the slightest thought of studying can put you in a bad mood. 

Given that you are pretty much on your own and there isn't much variety in the coursework, burnout is normal for an online student. But, I am here to assure you that it is 100% avoidable. 

Studying in online classes is already tedious as it is but it does not have to lead to burnout. Here are 6 ways to avoid burnout as an online student. 

1. Take your time

In online classes, the coursework is already organized and ready to complete so it can be easy to fall into the habit of trying to do too much at one time. Take your time and spread your assignments out. 

Yes, due dates are in place, but you will benefit more from taking your time than rushing your way through. The goal should be to grow in your knowledge, not to finish your assignments in the least amount of time, possible. 

When you take your time, you are more likely to gain a better understanding of the study material. This will, in turn, enhance your performance and the quality of your work. 

Good performance and high-quality work usually lead to good grades, which is usually the main goal for most students. Trying to do too much at one time is a surefire way to burn yourself out. 

2. Practice gratitude 

Sometimes we can be too hard on ourselves when it comes to studying. As an online student, you are already on your own so the pressure to always be plugged in can be very weighing. But it is okay to be present in the moment. 

By practicing gratitude, you are better able to stay grounded while also being present in the process. When present in the moment, you are more likely to appreciate the journey and not be so fixated on the destination.

For example, let's say you're working on an important paper. A simple practice of gratitude would be appreciating the fact that you are currently a college student, working toward a degree instead of bogging yourself down with getting the paper finished. 

Yes, due dates are important but you must be grateful in the process. Otherwise, you will drive yourself into a state of burnout. 

Related: 5 Positives Affirmations for Online College Students 

3. Give yourself time off

In online classes, there is no better feeling than getting things done on time, but you should also give yourself time off. While hyper-productivity seems promising, it is one of the quickest ways to burn yourself out. 

Instead of doing this, opt to create a daily to-do list and commit to only doing the tasks on your list. This will give you a clear goal to work toward without the added stress of trying to do too much at one time. 

You can either take small breaks between tasks or a long break after you have completed all the tasks on your to-do list. During your time off, refrain from doing anything relating to your studies.

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You can use this time to read a book, stream a show, work on a skill, catch up with a friend, tidy up your space, etc.—just as long as the activity doesn't involve studying. The whole point of giving yourself time off is to create a balance between your studies and your personal life. 

If you're uncertain about how to manage your time, I highly recommend the Pomodera Technique. 

Related: 9 Ways to Recharge After a Long Semester in College

4. Lose the perfectionism

Given that you have so much control and independence, it can be easy to fall into the trap of perfectionism as an online student. 

Achieving perfect grades and writing flawless papers can be quite fulfilling. But please keep in mind that holding yourself to such high standards will quickly lead to burnout. 

You are a student who is learning as you go so your performance is not always going to be perfect. There are going to be instances where your papers will be lackluster or where you're not going to get the grade you were aiming for. But this is all just a natural part of the process. 

All that matters is that you give yourself the grace to improve. Don't hold yourself to unrealistic standards and always keep in mind that there will be days when you're not going to be able to perform at your best. This is totally okay because there is always room for improvement. 

Related: How to Write a Successful Discussion Board Post

5. Always prioritize your personal life

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Prioritizing your personal life is so important if you're an online student. Finding yourself studying and never making time for other aspects of your life will quickly lead to burnout.

Some key priorities that many online students find themselves putting off to focus on their studies are quality time with family and friends, doctor's appointments, social events, etc. Please do not fall into this habit. 

Being a productive online student in college is all about balance. Sure, your grades are important, but your health, social life, and familial responsibilities are important as well. 

I understand that it is not the most ideal but look at it this way: school will always be around, but time is precious and something that you can never get back once it has passed. So if you've found yourself in a constant cycle of sacrificing important aspects of your personal life for your studies, please break the cycle NOW. 

Your family ties are important. Your friendships are important. Your physical and mental health is important. Failure to prioritize and maintain these key aspects of your life will not only lead to burnout but consequences that are sometimes irreversible. 

6. Change up your study environment 

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If you find yourself on the brink of burnout as an online student, it may be time to switch up your study environment. Having a designated place in your home to study is great but sometimes studying in the same environment can get stale and monotonous; neither of which are conducive to a productive learning environment. 

If you typically study in your home office or some other secluded place in your home, try studying outside in the backyard. You could also leave the house altogether and go study at your local library, your favorite cafe, or a quiet outdoor space in your town. 

The whole goal here is to foster a sense of change so that you will be refreshed and eager to progress forward in your journey as an online student. 

It is always good to switch things up, especially if you want to avoid burning yourself out.  

7. Keep things organized

As an online student, you want to ensure that things are always organized. Falling into the habit of not organizing your files, misplacing your textbooks, and keeping a messy study space can quickly lead to burnout. 

Again, your environment is important and your organizational habits will have a major impact. 

One way in which I was able to keep things organized during my time as an online student was by having an assigned folder for each one of my courses. I also created a digital folder for each course on my computer to keep track of files that I was required to download. 

This organizational system saved me so much time and stress because, at any given time, I knew exactly where to go to get what I was needing. 

If you want to avoid burnout, take the time to develop an organizational system that works best for you and your study habits. Trust me, you will not regret it.

Related: Why You Should Never Use Your Phone to Take an Online Course 

8. Never complete assignments at the last minute 

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What I like to call, "the last-minute pile-up" should be avoided at all costs. 

We all like to joke about the due at 11:59 deadline, but trying to complete a lengthy research paper along with several other assignments in just a matter of a few hours can be daunting. And with this comes burnout. 

The quality of your performance and work will take a shot as well, which will eventually cause a significant drop in your grades. 

Additionally, please keep in mind that attendance in online classes is usually counted based on how adamant you are about getting your assignment in on time every week. 

Turning assignments in at the last minute is one thing, but turning assignments in late every week will add up. And depending on your professor, you may be dropped from the course. Trust me, you do not want to be dropped from a course. Not only will it put you behind but your transcript and GPA will suffer as well. 

To avoid this, try to adhere to a schedule that gives you the space to turn your assignments in on time every week and not at the last minute or worse: late. 

Making a habit of turning assignments in at the last minute is not sustainable and will, in most cases, lead to burnout. Always turn things in on time. 

Conclusion 

In the end, experiencing burnout is a normal part of being an online student. You are not always going to be plugged in and eager to study and get things done. You're human and you should always keep this in mind. 

However, burnout is 100% avoidable. You just have to establish a strategy that works best for you while also being present in the process. You must also steer away from holding yourself to unrealistic standards and always prioritize life outside of being a student.

If you're an online student who is currently experiencing burnout, hopefully, this post has provided you with an idea of how to get back to having a productive relationship with your studies. Burnout is no fun, but you can avoid it. Happy studying! 

If you are currently an online student, what ways are working to avoid burnout? Start the conversation below (anonymous commenting available). 

More Resources: 

College Burnout: Symptoms, Causes & How to Deal With It

14 Exercises and Treatments to Recover from Burnout