Student Blog: Burnout Isn’t a Dirty Word

Burnout seems to have become a staple of the college student archetype – especially in the arts. From classes to rehearsals to auditions to internship interviews to job hunting to social plans to networking, pursuing an educational path in the theatre world is not for the faint of heart. When checking in with friends, “burnt out” is the standard assumption I make about my peers’ well-being, as it’s so normalized in our small but mighty world. Even when I have a fleeting moment to spend time with my roommate, who is a brilliant flutist in our university’s instrumental performance program, she appears to be just as exhausted and busy as the rest of my artistic friends. So, why is this? 

Theatre is a field that encourages its students to take a very hands-on approach to learning. Experiential learning is ingrained in our curriculum, requiring students to participate in internships, engage with community arts organizations, or take part in a certain number of university productions prior to graduation. These requirements, while immensely engaging and educational, are a large proponent of burnout that I’ve seen in my community. On top of curricular requirements, students are always seeking the opportunity to create their own art in student-led spaces or pursue interests outside of the performing arts: two activities that are sometimes devalued as educational experiences but are equally important to creating well-rounded artists and human beings. The hands-on nature of this art form breeds a sense of overwhelm, exhaustion, and fatigue, all of which are feelings I am all too familiar with. This persisting burnout can be discouraging and grating to students, often preventing them from doing their best work in classes and rehearsals. 

While there is no one-size-fits-all cure for the exhaustion that many college students in the arts face, my three and a half years at the University of Michigan have provided me with some experience in combatting my own burnout. 

Proactivity and organizational tools are key. 

As I addressed in one of my previous blog posts, I believe that prioritizing organization is the number one way to proactively prevent burnout throughout the course of a semester. Utilizing free tools such as Google Calendar to stay on top of your assignments, rehearsals, and classes is a great first step to getting ahead of deadlines, which can prevent overwhelm and stress at the end of an academic term. Because I stayed ahead of my work throughout this past semester, I’m able to write this blog post without the looming stress of incomplete academic assignments that had the potential to reappear during my last week of classes. A thorough examination of all curricular and out-of-class responsibilities I had prior to the school year beginning has provided me with the freedom to rewatch Friends and spend time with friends during what is notoriously known as the most stressful week for college students: the last week of the semester. 

Sleep is not to be overlooked. 

As my semester came to a peak at the beginning of November, I found myself sleeping more, integrating regular naps into my daily routine. While I’ve typically brushed off my body’s cries for more rest, I decided to give in to this midday temptation – a decision I do not regret. Since listening to my body and its need for rest during stressful times, I’ve found that my brain has worked at much higher productivity rates, I enjoy my work more, and I have the energy to be my usual chipper self. I’m known to sometimes be a bit unreachable socially and emotionally during my most hectic times of the semester, but this November marked a change in my mindset. Putting my body first, although it took up an extra hour or so of my day, enabled me to lessen my sense of burnout and continue to put my best foot forward. Sometimes, that “lost” hour is not lost at all. Rather, it was there to serve me and my mental needs at an overwhelming time. 

Burnout is not a bad word. 

More often than not, it’s impossible to avoid feeling burnt out. There are many tools to try and address this on the front end, but there’s no surefire way to prevent feeling exhausted. So, call it what it is! In my experience, everyone I’ve interacted with on a day-to-day basis has been in my shoes before, and they are more than willing to cater to my needs and capacity level when things get to be unmanageable. I fundamentally believe that if people have the capacity to help you out or make your life a little easier, they will do so. Voicing your burnout early on is an effective way to prevent yourself from stumbling into a hole of even more debilitating anxious strain. Talk to your friends, your professors, your supervisors, and your therapists – the people who care about you actually want to help alleviate the everyday burdens of being a person. 

While burnout may be inescapable, it’s not impossible to lessen or overcome. I’ve found that listening to my body and being kind to my future self is a surefire way to minimize the experience of burnout, on top of becoming a more well-rounded person who prioritizes rest and a versatile life. Burnout may always be part of the college experience, but by addressing it openly and prioritizing well-being, we can leave the stigma behind in 2024.

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