How to support students in overcoming burnout
The work and school environment has become fast-paced and demanding. There are so many tasks, so many deadlines and so little time. This overwhelms students and puts some in a constant state of anxiety. When people are mentally and physically exhausted by a long period of stress, burnout is sure to follow. Fortunately, there are signs that can help you determine if your students are on the verge of burnout. The most obvious symptom is a loss of interest in their performance. Exhausted students tend to neglect their studies, thus skipping classes, not participating in classes, etc. Another sign is the absence of concentration. Burnout students lose motivation and often can’t focus on learning material, but here are some ways you can help your students avoid learning burnout.
5 Ways to Help Your Online Students Avoid Study Burnout
1. Appreciate and encourage them
Study burnout can be caused by pre-existing mental health issues, among other things. Everyone is unique and experiences learning differently. You should try to encourage your students to share their individuality by expressing their thoughts and sharing their problems. If you create an environment of trust, students will be more likely to ask for your help with whatever they are struggling with. Also, show your appreciation for their efforts by praising them often and appreciating their work.
2. Improve immersion
Try implementing new technologies to beat boredom and liven things up. For example, virtual reality can provide contextual learning and distract students from their problems. To motivate them more, try incorporating gamification features into your virtual reality learning game, such as a reward system. Your students will be more invested in the process without the stress and pressure of a traditional learning environment.
3. Encourage study-life balance
Personal time allows us to recharge and relax. Your students need time to themselves to meet friends and family, focus on their hobbies, and rest for more engaging learning. Assign tasks that don’t take too much time so you don’t get overwhelmed. Create a study plan for them that prioritizes personal time while protecting the learning experience. You can even run a microlearning library to give them a chance to refresh their memory and focus on specific sub-topics to ease the cognitive load.
4. Check them often
Not everyone assimilates learning content in the same way. So make it a regular practice to check in with your students frequently to see how they’re doing and offer personalized support when possible. This also allows you to gauge their stress levels so you can spot signs of burnout early. In addition, your students will appreciate your interest and be more open to discussing their learning problems or obstacles in the future.
5. Set a day for group activities
Set aside a day each month, or even more often if you notice burnout is prevalent, for group activities with your students. You can even do virtual activities like puzzle games and team building activities. Not only does it give them an opportunity to take a break from the subject, but they are able to connect with their peers on a more meaningful level.
Conclusion
As a professional, you’re tasked with helping your people build their skills and expand their knowledge base, but what if someone is going through a tough time? We’ve covered some of the causes of burnout so you can better prepare to support your students. However, the most important sign of support is being there for them. Keep an open line of communication and create a support network, such as a closed social media group or peer coaching program. If you feel that the lessons are stressing them to the point of exhaustion, encourage them to express their worries and concerns and stress the importance of them seeking help.
The important thing to remember is that studying burnout can affect anyone. A variety of reasons can contribute to this, such as mental health issues, multitasking, environmental pressures, etc. If you notice that someone is losing motivation, is constantly tired, and begins to neglect the learning process, it could be a sign that they are suffering from learning. burn out.
