Student Blog: How to Survive Burnout Season

Well everyone, it's that time of the school year: Burnout Season. There are only about two weeks of class left, yet it seems like a month's worth of due dates have been crammed into that deceptively short period of time. It's the final stretch of the semester and everything important is converging; final projects, papers, exams, internship applications, student org officer elections, end-of-the-year functions, and more are all happening at the same time. And of course, shows, showcases, and auditions are all on the horizon for those in the theatre department.

Personally, burnout has been hitting me hard... probably harder than it ever has before since I've been in college. After coming back from spring break, I dove straight into two non-stop weeks of opera rehearsals and performances, and then immediately went into two more weeks of tech and performances for a play that I'm working backstage for. In the meantime, I've had all kinds of different projects and papers due for my classes, while I've also been trying to sort out my summer class situation as well as my academics and extra-curriculars for next year. Almost every night for the past week and a half, I haven't left the library to go home until around 2 AM- I head there straight after getting released from my backstage duties and stay until I finish my homework. I am more than ready for the semester to be done... but there's still two weeks left full of final projects, exams, and work shifts. Now is the time to double down and churn out some high quality work, but I just want to go to sleep for a week straight.

Facing burnout when you're going to school for something you love can be a bit difficult to handle sometimes. One of my worst fears is that theatre will become something I don't want to do anymore because of negative feelings I've associated it with it from some stressful experiences during undergrad. However, I'm determined not to let this happen, and I know that it's not theatre itself that's making me feel burnt out, but rather the stress of deadlines and doing too many things at once. I have absolutely no free time, but at least my time is mostly spent engaging with the things I love. Realistically speaking, if I had all the time in the world, all the projects that I currently have no motivation or energy to complete are things that I would really enjoy putting time and passion into- the circumstances just aren't ideal. Still, it's important to zoom out and adjust your perspective during Burnout Season to recognize the value of the work you are doing and how cool it is that you get the opportunity to partake in certain projects and experiences, though they may be stressful. How amazing is it that you're studying theatre? Of all the things to be filling up your schedule and stressing you out, this is one of the best possible options. Though it may currently feel like you're drowning and you have no will to continue, don't let the stress of the moment let you lose sight of why you came to college in the first place, and how proud you will be when you finish. As one of my professors likes to remind us, "the work is all gonna get done at some point." Will the work be perfect? Of course not. Is the end currently in sight? Not necessarily. But take encouragement from the fact that everything will be completed eventually, and that the relief of being done with this stressful time exists somewhere in your future.

In the meantime, I try to survive Burnout Season by finding joy in the little, day-to-day things. Since it's one of the few times a day where I don't have to actively focus on any work, I've found myself romanticizing my walks to and from class, the theatre, the library, and my dorm. There's something therapeutic about just turning your brain off, putting some earbuds in, and enjoying the scenery of campus as you head to your next destination. I've grown to really enjoy my final, post-midnight walk back from the library every night, as campus is completely quiet and empty, the air is cool, and I get a moment to peacefully reflect on my day as I head home to go to bed. Interestingly, I feel the least burnt out in these moments; in fact, it's usually on these surreal, late-night walks home that I'm hit with the feeling that I'm in the right place and that everything will work out in the end. There's not really a logical explanation, but it's been getting me through. Sometimes you just have to pretend you're the studious main character of a coming-of-age indie film as you go about your busy day, commute, and grind on your schoolwork. And as theatre people, that imaginative pretending should come easily! People joke about "main character energy" all the time, but embodying that mindset really can help motivate you to get things done. Though it might not always feel like it, you are in control of the narrative; keep your head up, push through, and give it a happy ending!

We're almost there everyone! Finish strong and never forget how incredible you are!