5 Ways to Avoid Academic Fatigue

Tired. Weary. Burned out. Worn down. Drained. Stick-a-fork-in-me-done.

Whatever you call it, there will probably come a point in which you’ll feel absolutely exhausted by everything going on in your life.

It’s tough stuff juggling academic studies, family and work responsibilities all at the same time.

Why, it can be enough to have you thinking of dropping out of college.

But don’t. The key to avoiding academic fatigue so you can stay in college and finish your degree is pretty straightforward: manage your energy, not your time.

Here are 5 effective fatigue fighters:

1. Take care of your physical body. Eat right. Sleep well. Breathe deep. Get some exercise. Hydrate enough. A little self-care goes a long way.
2. Pick your peak time. Do the hard stuff when you’re at your sharpest. That may be 4 a.m. or 3 p.m. Everybody’s different. Not sure when’s your best time? Keep an activity log for a few days and note when you have the most energy and mental clarity, then structure your activities accordingly.
3. Learn to let go. Sometimes you can’t do it all. Remember, work is infinite but time is finite. There’s always more to do. And there are only 24 hours in a day. Top tactic: focus on the most important tasks, and focus on only 3-5 of those at most.
4. Give yourself a break. Long hours don’t necessarily equate to productivity. While seemingly contrary, a short or long break can boost productivity. Try stepping away from things for a little bit and see if you don’t come back stronger, fresher and more focused.
5. Reboot. A nap. A walk. A snack. Everyone has something that re-energizes them. Find what works for you and build it into your day. Need help? Search “energy break ideas” for a list of things to try.

How do you avoid (or minimize) fatigue? If you've got a technique that you find works well, please let us know about it in the comments!

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