Burnout is prevalent and increasing on many college campuses today. Although burnout is not an issue that is specific to the military-affiliated community, the effects of burnout could be amplified by additional stressors on veterans and their families. It can be especially difficult to deal with the overwhelming pressure of being a student after coming from an extremely different culture, such as the military. Giant lifestyle shifts can make acclimating to a new environment more difficult, but there are many ways to ease this transition.

What is Burnout?
Burnout, defined as “emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment,” usually studied within fields that have a close interaction with others, has recently been extended to include less people-oriented jobs and students. Structured activities within the realm of academia, such as attending and participating in class, completing readings and assignments in a timely fashion, and studying to pass tests, can influence levels of burnout. Research has shown that students rank in the middle to upper levels of the burnout scale, displaying the effects of emotional exhaustion in the learning process.

Effects of Academic Burnout
There are several reasons why it is important to reduce academic burnout among students. Chronic stress affects several aspects of the brain and mind. For example, it has been shown that psychological well-being, measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey and Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being, was negatively correlated with academic burnout among a group of medical students. This finding can lead to higher levels of depression, anxiety, lower quality of life, and general distress. Partnered with chronic stress, academic burnout can have detrimental effects on the quality of life for individuals experiencing high levels of pressure within a school environment.

In addition to numerous neurobiological and psychological effects, academic burnout also can negatively affect relationships with others, including family and friends. Not only does it affect those close to the burnt out individuals, it also can shape interactions with faculty and staff at institutions of higher education. If a student does not have a good experience with the academic side of an institution, that news can be broadcasted to a wide audience. Therefore, the reputation of the school could also suffer, so it is in the best interest of faculty and staff at each university and college to assist in reducing burnout on and off campus.

Higher Vulnerability to Academic Burnout?
For student veterans and other military-affiliated students, the effects of burnout may be elevated due to other internal and external stressors brought on by their background. Student veterans, often older than the general student population, may have more responsibilities than their peers. Over half of the student veteran population are married and have children. Establishing a stable and happy home life is paramount to elevating the student experience. It has also been shown that there were higher levels of burnout among medical students when they were attending classes in comparison to clinical studies. Based on this finding, it may be possible that adjusting to a student schedule may be more difficult than adjusting to a new work schedule. It is important to recognize the challenges associated with the transition from the workplace to a classroom for veteran students.

Tips and Tricks for Reducing Burnout
So, how can campuses work to reduce burnout among students? There are few things that can be implemented to help. Solutions may differ across campuses, and it may take a few trial-and-error runs to find the right one for students in different places and stages of life.

1) Finding purpose. Students may feel like endless papers and repetitive assignments may not be worth the degree at times. Especially at more hectic times, such as during finals, it can be difficult to find the light at the end of the tunnel. Guiding students through the meaning behind assignments and the end goal of their degree and experience at their institution is important in maintaining purpose and motivation to cross the finish line.

2) Analyzing the situation. Performing a situation analysis can also assist in reducing burnout. Schools can encourage students to sign up for sessions with career services, as well as make it easy for students to schedule time to meet with faculty to assess how they can reduce excessive burdens that may be contributing to their academic burnout. This is especially important for student veterans, who may have additional responsibilities such as children, aging parents, and other expenses. Performing situational analysis can make processes more efficient, alleviating stress on the individual and those around them.

3) Practicing self-care. Taking care of oneself looks differently for everyone. There are certain things that can decrease stress and help students manage their responsibilities more efficiently, such as getting enough exercise and eating a healthy diet.

4) Sticking to routine. It can be stressful to change up daily routines when there is so much going on, such as school, work, and other commitments. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day is one way that students can reduce stress and anxiety around school and other responsibilities.

While the solution to reducing academic burnout is not one-size-fits-all, these ideas can serve as a reminder for all of us in higher education as we begin another school year. How do you reduce the opportunity for burnout to take control of your studies and life?

Article Topics

Military Friendly Institutions Research on Student Veterans Serving Military in HigherEd Veterans Academic Success Women Veterans Working as a Veteran in HigherEd

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