Student burnout

[NWChen]

After GTR-E (for an NYC team like us, a 13-hour bus ride each way) many of our team members were exhausted and burnt out. Missing school also affected some of us academically, since we returned to all the tests and classwork we'd missed. I imagine it's even harder for teams who go to Champs and the like.

I've read the "mentor burnout" thread but it doesn't answer my question. What can students do to recover from burnout after either the build season or a competition?

[Johnnybukkel]

I try to sleep as often as possible. Let future me take care of my issues.

[eddie12390]

Originally Posted by NWChen

After GTR-E (for an NYC team like us, a 13-hour bus ride each way) many of our team members were exhausted and burnt out. Missing school also affected some of us academically, since we returned to all the tests and classwork we'd missed. I imagine it's even harder for teams who go to Champs and the like.

I've read the "mentor burnout" thread and <a href="http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57245&page=5&highlight=student+bu rnout">this one</a> but they don't answer my question. What can students do to recover from burnout after either the build season or a competition?

If possible, you should forewarn your teachers before the start of the build season to try and get things like tests/homework prior to your competition.

[xXhunter47Xx]

Sleep, sleep, and more sleep. And drink water. I remember I got dehydrated the Sunday after because I didn't drink enough water.

[AustinH]

It did feel kinda odd telling a bunch of teenagers that they had a bed time. It sure did work though. Day 2 at Mt. Vernon wasn't officially over until ~7:00 pm. You need all the energy you can get at these events regardless of your age.

[cadandcookies]

Communication is your best friend for academic problems (or potential problems). The majority of teachers are willing to work with students who approach them in a reasonable manner with sufficient notice (IE, not telling them the day before you leave).

As for just general stress/mental burnout, sleep is the main thing, and, after that, making sure you spend time doing something recreational that isn't robotics. Gaming, reading, playing some sort of sport. Mental health is a balancing act. As someone who has been utterly and entirely FIRST obsessed for the last four years in addition to taking way too many AP classes, making sure that I spend time not just on homework, sleep, and robotics, but also spending an hour or two just relaxing my brain is what keeps me (mostly) functional (although I'm pretty confident that my team would not agree that it has kept me sane).

[wet_colored_arc]

ugh... 13 hours is a long time

I suggest your team talk about the issues and make some policies and principles that you think might help. Besides those ideas suggested you might consider things like weekly monitoring of grades, eating pizza no more than once a week and sticking to a rock solid, firm stop time at the end of the day.

[Jacob Bendicksen]

This has already been said, but it can't be stressed enough: take care of your schoolwork beforehand. I try to turn in papers and take tests in the week leading up to an event, if only so that Sunday doesn't hurt quite as bad (though it's still never fun).

Side note: a Chairman's presentation is the last place you want to be thinking about that history paper.

[Gregor]

This thread is an excellent read for any student struggling with robotics burnout.

If only I had the willpower to follow all the advice myself...

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...threadid=57499

[Miss157]

I'm all for sleep, really. I tend to get sick right after competitions, which doesn't help me academically.

Coming off of WPI this weekend, which isn't even a far ride, I've slept for probably about thirty hours.

Additionally and what I think is really important, trying to think about something that's not FIRST for a few minutes. Being in a competition with a thousand other FIRSTers for a weekend really goads you into one mindset and getting back into the real world is sometimes a bit jolting!

[TheRamAlakazaam]

I suggest telling your teacher a week ahead... I have one more regional and I plan on doing just that remember no pass no play...

[Tim Lehmann4967]

I bet getting a massage would help. If someone does, please inform me if it was rejuvenating.

[Tytus Gerrish]

i saw burnout and GTR and i thought this.

[Kelly180]

We tell the students lights out at 11pm, and for them to get as much sleep as they can. All of the students have to have grades in order to go to a competition. Try to talk to the school(s) if there is a major test coming up so they can take it early? Most students won't be studying at an away competition so, they will forget it all afterwards. lol

We (adults and students) have to remind each other to stay hydrated. I forgot how intense this is. Glad we had water at our pit, but not enough. So we will be bringing more. Eat a hearty breakfast, not everything at the competition goes to schedule, and sometimes it's crazy hectic.

Also, for students (boys especially) make sure they wear extra deodorant! 8am-6pm is a long day with minimal deodorant.

[MooreteP]

One good thing about the district model is that most competitions (except for WPI) take place on Saturdays and Sundays, and have shorter travel times.

I don't like change, but I love the district model. Almost 3x more matches, no time off from school, more intimate, and closer to home.