Latoya Campbell, Outlook Youth Writer

Unbelievably, it is the middle of the semester. For many, the past weeks were spent preparing for mid-semester exams and completing assignments that seemingly culminated throughout the school term. Without even realising it, you're slowly becoming worn out.

The feeling of powerlessness, emotional exhaustion, detachment, frustration and despair are all signs of what is known to many as the 'burnout syndrome'. Burnout doesn't happen overnight. The reality is, however, that some persons get so caught up in school and other activities that they don't even realise they are overworking themselves. It is important to recognise early signs instead of waiting until it's far too late.

Jade, 24, found herself in a similar position during her third year of university. "My schedule was very hectic at that time. I became obsessed with getting everything done on time and I guess I took on much more than I could handle. I didn't realise all that until one day when it all came crashing down. It was like my entire body had shut down and I was of no use to myself. After I recovered I became more aware and dropped some of my activities so that I could focus more on myself and staying healthy."

Apart from that, improper planning and time management can result in burnout. "Many times burnout is as a result of people procrastinating. They spend so much time and energy trying to complete assignments at the last minute that it gets too overwhelming."

- Hannif, 19

Outlook Youth got some more views on what the feeling of burnout was like and some of the early signs that may occur.

You know you're suffering from burnout when:

"You can count the total hours of sleep you got during the week on both hands. When you eventually get some rest it's in all your favourite classes that you were guaranteed to stay awake in."

- Fabian, 18

"You begin to lose interest in everything and you're even more cranky than usual, and you've noticed that people are beginning to avoid you."

- Gina, 22

"You're extremely depressed, lethargic, tired even after you've got a few hours of rest and you're mentally tired."

- Brian, 21

Say no to Burnout

Burnout doesn't have to be recurrent in your life. Understanding the signs and ways that you can prevent it can help greatly in reducing the risks of suffering from this condition. Below are some ways that you can reduce wearing yourself out.

Delegate responsibilities

Don't try to do everything yourself. Learn to ask for help even if it is out of your character. Ensure that you know your limitations so that you will not exceed them.

Make time for yourself

Take time away from your hectic environment to relax. Engage in activities such as meditation or exercise in order to relieve tension and achieve relaxation.

Organise and plan properly

Ensure that you create a schedule that is centred on your goals and ideals and stick to it as much as possible. Also, when making commitments it is important to have an idea of the expectations before accepting the challenge.

Have a support system

When you feel overwhelmed and at the brink of frustration it is always good to have someone who can offer you a shoulder to lean on and help you to relax.

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