The Freshman Experience: Balancing Burnout

College freshmen experiencing their newfound independence often face unexpected stress. Between difficult coursework and social pressures, students can easily find themselves overwhelmed. 

Among college students across the country, 83 percent of STEM students report burnout, 81 percent of online students also share in this struggle, and to top it off, 82 percent of college students report that this burnout coincides with anxiety or depression.

Only 29% seek mental health support. These statistics come from a study published by Worldmetrics, written by Robert Callahan. Academic performance causes an additional 78 percent of college freshmen to feel excessive stress. 

Andy Weisgerber says freshmen may experience burnout by doing too much. 

“Many freshmen enter college believing they need to do everything at once. They end up trying to sign up for multiple club activities, go to parties, and load up their course schedule.” 

In an article published by Research.com, Imed Bouchrika, Ph.D., writes about how to combat burnout. He says to follow a rule to treat your energy as a budget. If each responsibility you have spent energy from the same account, you will still need consistent deposits of sleep, food, movement, and connection. If you miss out on those deposits, it often leads to lower-quality work. 

When asked, Brad Conley shared his experience dealing with burnout. 

“One way I was able to deal with all that pressure coming down on me my freshman year was by building a schedule. Learning how to organize my time in a way that allowed me to do my work and have fun was how I beat burnout.” 

Experts also recommend not overcommitting and saying no. Involvement in campus activities can be important to eliminating burnout; too much can lead to unnecessary stress. Students should prioritize activities that align with their interests rather than trying to participate in everything they see. 

Freshman year is not a time to emphasize perfection as the goal. College is designed to be a time for growth, and setbacks are a natural part of the maturation process. Taking breaks and celebrating small victories can help students maintain perspective during difficult times. 

As freshmen continue to adjust to college life, finding a good balance between work and fun remains one of the most important skills they can develop. By maintaining healthy routines, improving time management, and seeking out help when needed, students can avoid burnout and make the most of their first year in college.