Student burnout

[JesseK]

I watch students push themselves beyond their limits every year only to realize they have yet to find their true limits. If you're feeling burned out because you've pushed yourself, good job! You young'uns can take it. It'll come in handy later in your life and all it really means is that your potential has yet to be found. Keep your grades up & push through.

As a general rule, don't sleep in - get some exercise instead.

Personally when I'm burned out I resort to one of three things:
1.) Video games like Kerbal Space Program.
2.) A robotics hobby of 3D printing obscure flying drones for air-worthiness.
3.) Check out e-books from the local library on philosophy for my career (current read: Who Owns the Future?). Usually I progress at least a chapter before bed.

[gabrielau23]

Originally Posted by JesseK

I watch students push themselves beyond their limits every year only to realize they have yet to find their true limits. If you're feeling burned out because you've pushed yourself, good job! You young'uns can take it. It'll come in handy later in your life and all it really means is that your potential has yet to be found. Keep your grades up & push through.

As a general rule, don't sleep in - get some exercise instead.

Personally when I'm burned out I resort to one of three things:
1.) Video games like Kerbal Space Program.
2.) A robotics hobby of 3D printing obscure flying drones for air-worthiness.
3.) Check out e-books from the local library on philosophy for my career (current read: Who Owns the Future?). Usually I progress at least a chapter before bed.

Well, according to some sleep research, electronics don't actually help your brain rest. While that doesn't stop me from playing them when I'm tired, sleeping and reading is usually a really good way to recharge. Also, don't let your physical body slack off either--during build season, you really drain your mental batteries, and it's important that you don't let your physical body drain too far either. You'd be surprised how much exercise can do for you in terms of energy levels. I always try to go running or biking about 3-4 weeks prior to the competitions early in the morning or stuff so that I can get in shape and not lose too much energy at competitions. They're really exhausting, and if you're in better physical shape you'll last longer and recharge faster.

[Oblarg]

Originally Posted by JesseK

I watch students push themselves beyond their limits every year only to realize they have yet to find their true limits. If you're feeling burned out because you've pushed yourself, good job! You young'uns can take it. It'll come in handy later in your life and all it really means is that your potential has yet to be found. Keep your grades up & push through.

Having experienced actual burnout due to running smack into my physical limits multiple times before, I will say that this is dangerous advice.

There is nothing wrong with testing your limits, if you are in a situation where you can deal with the consequences of finding out that they're lower than you thought. That is, don't push yourself for the sake of pushing yourself if there are important things that depend on you being in a functional state.

Stress is a a very real physiological thing and can be (potentially) very harmful over long periods of time. Do not fool yourself into thinking you can always tough it out. Treat your body's warning systems with respect; if you're feeling constantly tired, get some rest. If you need a day off, take a day off. The robot will be there when you get back; other important things things you may screw up due to burnout may not.