Burnout: it’s real, and honey, it’s anything but glamorous.

Think of it like a giant blinking sign from your mind, body, and spirit yelling, “Enough!” Officially, burnout is a state of mental, emotional, and sometimes physical exhaustion that happens when you’ve piled way too much onto your plate. When that plate overflows—boom, burnout.

The Numbers: Everyone’s Feeling It

But let’s get real with some stats. About 75% of college students feel overwhelmed by their academic workload, according to Crown Counseling. That same study found only 35% of students believe they manage their time effectively. No wonder so many of us are drowning in deadlines.

And as much as we’d love a perfectly stress-free college experience (cue brochures with smiling students under sunny skies), that’s just not reality. According to the Lumina Foundation, 64% of college students hold jobs, 40% of which are full-time. Plus, only 49% of students are financially independent from their parents. Translation? Many of us are juggling classwork, job duties, bills, and a never-ending to-do list. It’s a lot.

Under the Rainbow, Under More Pressure

We also can’t ignore that LGBTQ+ students and workers often face even higher stress levels. Mind Share Partners’ 2021 Mental Health at Work Report found that LGBTQ+ workers were more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and—you guessed it—burnout. Their work environments often negatively affected their mental health. In other words, for some groups, the pressure can feel extra intense.

My Personal Burnout Low Point

I’d love to say I’m immune, but I’m definitely not. Nobody is. I’m an overachiever with sky-high goals, and my biggest burnout phase was back in high school. At the same time, I was:

• Going to school full-time
• Co-leading a nonprofit’s working Board of Directors
• Working part-time
• Interning
• Taking on freelance gigs

Let’s be real: it was not the “I can do it all” montage I imagined. Rather than feeling accomplished, I ended up feeling stretched too thin, stressed out, and very lost.

Recognizing Burnout

Whether you’re working three jobs or taking a full load of classes (or both!), it’s crucial to recognize when you’re hitting your limit. Burnout might show up as:

• Constant fatigue or lack of motivation
• Feeling detached or cynical
• Trouble focusing or remembering things
• Frequent headaches or other physical symptoms

If any of these sound familiar, it might be time to step back and reassess. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.

So, What Can We Do About It?

First, know you’re not alone. With more than 30,000 students at FAU, approximately 22,500 of your peers could be facing burnout, too. Don’t assume you have to go it alone if you're struggling.

Next, take advantage of your school’s resources. If you’ve read a class syllabus, you’ve probably seen a mention of FAU’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). They offer both online and in-person mental health support, including emergency appointments. If you need help—or aren’t sure where to start—visit fau.edu/counseling. 

Think about balancing your plate—and not just with fruits, veggies, and water. Your mind needs downtime just as much as your body needs nutrition. Carve out a little space for activities that help you decompress, whether that’s reading, watching your favorite show, drawing, or gaming.

Above all, don’t neglect the basics: Eat three meals a day, drink plenty of water, maintain good hygiene, and aim for eight hours of sleep. When you’re already running on empty, skipping these essentials only speeds up the burnout process.

Finally, stay organized in a way that makes sense for you. Maybe you use a planner or a to-do list app; perhaps you’re a fan of giant whiteboards. Whatever method you choose, having a plan can keep those tasks from spiraling out of control. A little structure helps you notice when your plate is getting too full—so you can lighten the load before burnout sets in.

Wrapping It All Up

Burnout is no joke—it can zap your energy, your enthusiasm, and even your hope. But here’s the truth: you’re not alone, and there are steps you can take to reclaim your well-being. Make a point to balance your life, use campus and community resources, and check in with yourself (and your loved ones!) regularly. Because the ultimate secret to beating burnout? Recognizing that you can’t pour from an empty cup. Fill up first, and you’ll be ready to take on whatever life dishes out—one balanced plate at a time.

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