Miss Know it All #1

Q: With the onset of school this September, what can I do to prevent burnout? How do I motivate myself to do well academically without tiring myself out?

A: As someone who’s been in the same position as you– I completely understand how you feel. I think a big part of what causes burnout is hustle culture, or the idea that long and tiring work hours lead to success. When I started high school, I fell victim to hustle culture. I thought that 3 a.m study sessions were the key to good grades and academic validation. However, two years later, I discovered that this is definitely not the case. The long work hours and lack of breaks might lead to academic success at the moment, but it does the complete opposite in the long run. The best way to prevent potential burnout is to study smarter, not harder. Resist the urge to return home and take a nap– instead, take ten minutes to decompress and get right to work! This way, you can study quicker and sleep sooner, allowing your body to get adequate rest. As for the motivation, I have a few tricks. Personally, I found it helpful to make a Pinterest board filled with quotes and inspiration. Envision the person you hope to be this school year, and craft your life to be just like that person. Another trick that can help is creating a vision board. Imagine that you are the director of a television series that you’re the main character of. Plan out exactly what you want your “character” to be like. How does your character study? What does your character’s grades look like? What are some long term goals? These are all some ideas you could consider. But above all, true motivation comes from within. It comes from a desire to obtain a certain goal, or to reach a certain milestone. Such goals force you to build dedication, rather than focusing on short bursts of motivation. While you focus on your academic comeback this school year, remember: success is not a sprint, but a journey. Good luck!