College can be demanding, but there is a difference between having a stressful week and feeling like you are running on empty all the time. This short self-assessment can help you look at how school has been affecting your energy, motivation, concentration, and ability to recover from stress. Think about how you have felt over the past few weeks as you answer each question.
This self-assessment is for informational purposes only and is not a diagnosis.
Are You Experiencing College Burnout?
Answer the following 10 questions based on how you have been feeling recently.
When college starts taking more than it gives
College stress is normal. There are weeks when assignments pile up, exams take over your schedule, and getting enough sleep feels almost impossible. Usually, though, the pressure eventually lets up, and you begin to feel like yourself again. Burnout is different. The exhaustion sticks around, motivation becomes harder to find, and responsibilities that once felt manageable begin requiring much more effort.
Burnout can be especially hard to recognize when you are someone who is used to doing well. You may still be attending class, completing assignments, and getting good grades while feeling completely depleted underneath it all. Your instinct may be to work harder, stay up later, or give up more of your downtime. Eventually, even taking a break can make you feel guilty because there is always something else you think you should be doing.
There may not be one obvious problem to fix. Academic pressure can become harder to manage when anxiety or perfectionism is also in the mix, especially as you adjust to greater independence and responsibility. At the same time, concerns about the future or pressure from other people can make it difficult to know what actually needs to change. You may find yourself wondering whether you just need to get through a difficult semester or whether the way you are handling the demands of college is no longer working for you.
If college has started to feel unsustainable, Birch Tree Psychology can help you look at what is driving the burnout and find practical ways to reduce the pressure. In-person therapy is available in New Jersey, and many of our therapists can also provide teletherapy through PSYPACT in participating states. That can make it possible for students to continue working with the same therapist while they are away at college and when they return home for breaks.
College does not have to keep feeling this exhausting.
If you’re ready to change the way college is affecting you, reach out to Birch Tree Psychology. We can help you identify what is making college so difficult right now and match you with a therapist whose experience fits your needs. In-person therapy is available in New Jersey, with teletherapy available to eligible clients in participating PSYPACT states.