How do I minimize/prevent AND recover from burnout from studying? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: shivajikobardan
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2022, 08:00:33 am
content: TLDR-: student who feels like doing nothing eg not like to even read a page during some days. Used to happen a lot during exams. Is happening since 15 days, visited doctor, started taking meds. Meds might be doing their work. I need some guidance and advice that I might be missing.1) I am Computer Engineering student and burnout is really a huge issue for me. I keep getting burn out(IDK the exact word for this tbh). I feel exhausted. I feel fed up studying. It feels like a brain fog. I don't feel like opening my textbook or watching video. I don't want to do anything at all. I instead browse reddit, watch youtube videos to pass my time. I feel so resistant to studying I don't have a word for that man. This has been happening to me since last 15 days. I am simply idle. It is not like I don't feel fear. Even if I feel fear, I feel like doing nth. I have already consulted doctor and doctor just gives me medicines and nth more. So hope people here will be considerate and give tips independent or dependent my medical conditions. My life really sucks due to this.2) Even now I have been feeling this thing for around 15 days. I went to Psychiatrist and he added proate medicine. Hope that works. But even though it works I still need some advices and guidances as medicines can't fix everything.3) It is not like I study 10 hrs everyday. I study 3-5 hrs everyday normally. I even had a vacation where I travelled a lot and had lots of fun. So it is not due to lack of entertainment NOW. but I agree entertainment lacks in my life a lot. I don't have any ways to relax my mind as most ways to relax would be expensive like guitar. And it is winter it is really boring to do yoga, stretching and meditation. (I used to do it as well in the past but still got burn out so this is not the reason why I am getting burn out.).4) My medical conditions-: The medicines that I am using are-: 1) Proate 500 2) Zosert 50 3) Sizodon 25) In the past when I used to get burnout only during exams-: We have 3 days gaps to study during each exam. Our exams last 1 month long And I would finish studying 40% of topics before exams and during exams at least during 2 exams(we would have 5-6-7 exams depending on semester). I would get burnout and fail to do anything during those exams..And I keep failing exams that I have already studied 40% because I can't focus during exams. The culture here in Nepal is most students study during those 3 days and pass the exam comfortably. I have improved here as well. In the past, I used to finish studying once and I would not make revision notes so I had to re-read what I have studied all again. But nowadays I make summaries while studying and just revise it. So it is a bit better in this case. But I still get burnout.6) What are hobbies,activities that are not very expensive that I can do in order to prevent myself from being burnout very frequently. I won't mind a burnout every 3 month.

author: nth_degree
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2022, 10:40:17 am
content: Ok I can help you as I’ve struggled and overcome this.1. Nuvigil / Armodafinil also sold under the name Artvigil. This works but if you take too much you’ll feel sick and get nothing done. Half a pill is plenty. Also _never_ take when you’re tired. Since this has a 15 hour half-life you need to take it as soon as you wake up. It can be purchased w/o prescription for 50c a pill online. I use ModafinilXL.com.2. Pay attention to the temperature of your lighting. 6500K+ increases motivation, focus and productivity. Lesser warm colors slow you down. If the colder months create burnout that’s likely a significant part of it. Cheap LED lamps can provide high temperature colors but its not enough just to cover your desk, go for the light bulbs as well.https://www.amazon.com/Caring-Brightness-Levels-Function-Adapter/dp/B09448GVHV3. Certain vitamin combinations can help get you out of a rut. Specifically AREDS2 formula + B12 2000mcg.4. Pepsi. Couple of cans a day.5. Sencha green tea, not too much.6. High carb meals, one per day. Specifically spaghetti and red sauce and lentils, with welchs 100% grape juice.This might seem random and unhealthy. It’s probably unhealthy but these habits I’ve discovered by trial and error, and they provide limitless energy and motivation.But remember“The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long.”Lao TzuI also will address your point about having no entertainment or way to relax. I think you should purchase an Oculus Quest 2, with the ‘elite battery strap’ and consider trying VR pornography as a past time. No it’s not a joke. Try that.

author: Capernicus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2022, 11:24:00 am
content: Lack of NRG anyone?This has only been happening to u for 15 days? why dont you try 15 years.Its great when you feel like doing your work, that's what it should be, and life would be allot easier and million times more productive if this was always the case.But it turns out sometimes you just never feel like doing anything, for a seemingly causeless reason, and if u can still manage to get your work done in this circumstance, then you are safe, and u should have success in your life, but its going to be a little hampered compared to what it could have been, thats true for an unknown amount of us, but I think its nearly everyone.You have to do your work, when you *DONT* feel like it, (groan.) or your not strong enough. ull never make it, ur too easy to distract. Your house wont get past the cement foundation, and abandoned.If you cant, you will produce nothing for 50 years straight, and wonder why you are even here at all perhaps, and maybe u wont be able to protect yourself from the ones that want to do you harm and take away your liberty! cause u are just permanently tired. and nothing is getting done.I don't believe in pill popping for it, I think that just makes it worse, its very similar to smoking cigarettes to avoid the problem, it doesnt work!!!! makes u very unfit and unhealthy.

author: nth_degree
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2022, 11:45:31 am
content: I would disagree on your last point. Willpower alone is a poor strategy. To succeed to need a mechanism to regulate your dopamine. Pill popping isn’t the answer, but popping the *correct* pills can be.

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2022, 11:53:10 am
content: http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/171/re-envisioning-paulo-freires-banking-concept-of-educationyou may be getting a reaction (allergic) against the "banking" nature of your education - see Paolo Freire.perhaps the odd hour a week confronting/questioning your learning systems, including motivation and techniques, worldview etc - may help through providing a more explicit context for your studies.

author: Capernicus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2022, 12:13:12 pm
content: Quote from: nth_degree on January 07, 2022, 11:45:31 amWill-power **poor** strategy??, goes to show how many people cant take the heat. u have to be REALLY strong.Maybe it helps to be a certain type of boring person that actually already isnt interested in anything anyway to start with.Personality type can make things different for different people.you may be frustrated and think things along these lines whilst its happening to you, when ur studying away trying to get your projects along fully underwaters ->a) this is unfair.b) this is just pointless, and its never going to be as good as it was going to be!c) this doesnt mean i cant actually do it! It has nothing to do with my actual intelligence!!!d) i cant work in these circumstances!!!

author: nth_degree
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2022, 01:37:51 pm
content: Sure play eye of the tiger and just will your way to success. Doesn’t work. You need to manipulate your body chemistry and your environment and be supplied the right tools for the task.How about that saying never never give up? Remember that from the 80s? I have that attitude it’s a nightmare. Being unable to let go leads to negative experiences and that conditions you against even attempting to work. It creates burn out these half thought through sound byte strategies. Sometimes you need to stop.

author: Capernicus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2022, 02:06:25 pm
content: It helps if you are really interested in the subject.Another piece of good advice, is if its seeming a little unimportant to you what your doing and u cant muster the energy, you could think of how it is going to lead to something important later on, every tool in life shares technology with other tools, so it could be an instrumental tool.Talking yourself into something is tricky tho, I know, but I dont think taking medication is the answer, I believe the solution is purely psychological.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2022, 02:43:25 pm
content: With study the way to replenish your edge is sleep. Your brain replenishes its neurotransmitters and imprints the previous days learning while yousleep. That process of storing your previous days memories is called LTP. A lot of research has been done on it. Read it. The way you remember what you have read is by doing it. You often forget what you just read and do not do. Your brain remembers what you DO. Thats what helps you survive to reproduce.You need Sleep a.) take a hot bath(not a shower) b.) Eat some carbohydrates and drink at least a tall glass of milk, preferably warm milk. c.) Take some non time release niacin, at least 100 mg. d.) Take some l-tryptophan, not 5-HTPRead up on the pathways involved in catecholaminergic, GABAminergic and cholinergic neurotransmission All are involved strongly in LTP.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2022, 05:15:47 pm
content: Perhaps changing your major. Or see if you can purchase the degree instead of earning it.

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2022, 10:01:17 pm
content: I've had that feeling of burnout. Actually i feel burnt out right now.It might be the reason why i start projects before i finish existing ones, but i don't mind.I've since gotten into the habit of replacing emotion with reason, like:step 1:"I should do it but i don't feel like doing anything"step 2:"Well if i should i will and whether i feel like it or not does not matter"Eventually something interesting happens and you don't have to force yourself as muchOr the whole burnout thing goes away and everything goes back to normal.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2022, 10:09:42 pm
content: Consider swapping the Psychiatrist for a nutritionist. If you feel lethargic, go for a light jog.

author: Capernicus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2022, 10:40:52 pm
content: Quote from: Refrigerator on January 07, 2022, 10:01:17 pmfor me its pretty much permanent. you just gotta keep willing onwards.But the fact it is permanent to me helps me in a way, means I know that ill literally just permanently be nowhere if i let it get the betters of me, so I just press on knowing it will never get easier, so I cant ever stop.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2022, 11:58:53 pm
content: I am not about to give medical advice here. I'm not a doctor, don't know your medical history, blood chemistry or anything else that is probably important.I can tell you that there is some truth to the comments that it is sometimes necessary to power through the bad times. Staying aware of the long term goals and rewards for what you are enduring now can help. I won't pretend that this is the whole answer.I don't know the specifics of your situation enough to give good advice, but sometimes self set requirements are part of the problem. Do you have to get straight A's or do all the extra credit work? Do you have to finish in n years? Is all of the reading required to get the A.?Have you really tried everything in terms of alternate activities? You don't have to buy a guitar or learn to play to listen to one. Have you mastered simple instruments like an ocarina or harmonica. Is there a bridge, checkers or chess club in your area? Have you consulted religious leaders? How about a maker club, or even some simple minded employment?Back to the powering through comments. They apply to alternate activities too. The first step is always hard. It is an act of will that is hard to muster when you are down. But often is self sustaining so worth the effort.

author: Capernicus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2022, 12:46:51 am
content: The more you fight it, the easier it becomes to fight it! but it doesnt disappear!!! It remains forever, trying to swindle you out of success in life.Keep going strong in hard times!Thats how the houses get built!Thats how the video games come out!Thats how the movies get on the cinema screen!Thats how the veges get to the fruit and veg shop.How we keep getting new versions of windows!How people are saved at the hospital given theyve got the right experts employed!You have to fight for it! And fight till ya die!

author: mcz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2022, 11:53:21 am
content: I don't know if you are using the same bachelor/masters university education as most of europe does but i just assume it's pretty similar.Maybe your studying just sucks? 3-5 hours a day is a lot (or does that include all the boring lectures that don't teach you anything?)You have to interact with other students and older semesters to try and figure out what exams are hard. Some professors basically do the exact same exam every year or have 2-3 variantions of one. They just change the numbers. In that case I just used to learn those exam questions and write as many exam questions and their complete solutions on the formula sheet as you could fit.For the a little harder exams:Trying to memorise stuff is usually ineffective, calculating real questions is more useful. Doing things yourself, even if it is just boring exam-like questions, is a lot better. Reading the professors script as a learning exercise is a waste of time. Just try to read up things when you actually have a problem solving a particular problem. Also, youtube and the internet in general might give faster answers.The education system is pretty ineffective for actually educating and more of a way to annoy people to death and the ones who quit don't get a degree. That way the employers can see if a particular person is immune to a lot of bullshit which might be important in the job.And, like others said, a certain amount of willpower and just not giving up is mandatory in everyday life. Happy pills are not. And if you have a real depression or something similar you get yourself proper treatment (not just pills)cheers

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2022, 02:05:35 pm
content: go pray and ask from God for guidance. know the meaning of responsibility, discipline and purpose of life. know that everybody around you need you, dont waste the time you've spent on this particular struggle. know why you should learn what you've been asked to learn and what benefit you and others will get if you fullfill your study degree. you can get sucked easily by entertainment, so you need to know when to go entertainment, ie when you got tired studying, but not too long. know what to get rid of, things that will not contribute in long term, usually that is for short term entertainment, and say no to it. yes we need strong will to do useful stuffs. dont underestimate nutritions, get enough vitamins mineral carb etc, vegetables meat etc. just as soul/mental needs to get feed, physical body too otherwise both will go heywires. everybody got burnout sometime, esp when you go to work and know that is what you are stucked your entire life. knowing the responsibility for others/family/society will make you strong will to carry on. now i know why i've been wasting so much time, i could have been more "ahead" than what i currently have/know now. thats is due to "entertainment" listening to musics and watching sci-fi videos are among them, and including typing here in this forum thinking i can fondle people's feeling or queries. so if i have a task thats got postponed no progress for few weeks for no good reason, then i will push my strong will and say, turn off that god damned PC switch NOW! yes i'm going to switch it off now i'm going to sleep, tomorrow i have some other responsibility to do... i've been trying to correct my bedtime for many days now

author: CaptDon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2022, 02:45:33 pm
content: Why did you choose this field of study??? Because you thought it was the short path to fame, fortune and riches?? Because only 'successful' people have the degrees? Do you have any natural talent in this field? Think about this, There are doctors who have been interested in biology since they were kids. Reading every book they could get their hands on, walking in fields and wooded areas studying natures plans and marveling at how everything fits together and they become superb surgeons or specialists in their field. Then there are the putzes who become doctors solely to get rich. Their people skills suck, they have no real appreciation for the life in their hands and they are barely more than mediocre in their skills. If you have no natural talent in your field of study then yes, you will burn out and everything will seem harder than it actually is!! Life sucks, get over it and either enjoy what you study or pick a different field of study that actually excites you. I have sadly worked with so many absolutely worthless east Indian and Asian code writers who had no interest or skill in their field but went to college, got a degree, because that is what their society demanded of them!! There are people who work to earn the E-7 Chief status and there are the cry babies who after 20 years wonder why they are still a 'blue shirt'. It takes hard work, determination, mental and physical toughness 'to wear the khakis' and be called a chief!! Buck up buttercup!!

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2022, 03:03:17 pm
content: Dont do anything you dont like, if you dont like to study then dont study.When i go programming ( grinding ), when i,m sick of it, i need to stop, because else i will only sit staring at the screen.When you feel like doing work again it goes automaticly, you get bored and start study again.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2022, 03:31:41 pm
content: The US Navy Seals have a saying: "The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday".It's pretty much the same in undergrad. It's not uncommon to be burned out by the 3rd year, I was! I had learned the part of EE that I found interesting and the rest of it was boring and I was working 40-60 hours a week, supporting a family. Not an easy path but I managed to keep my grades up. The last two years were tough but I had too much time invested to just quit. So I gutted it out.Two years after graduation, I got offered, and accepted, a fully paid scholarship to grad school. Of course I took it! It was only a year long and I got some choice in course selection. It was fun! Besides, I could do anything for a year.Ask around, you will find a lot of the other students are in the same situation. Maybe go out for pizza/beer and talk about it. Accept mutual support but don't let somebody else's problem become your problem.One semester at a time - that's the key. Pretty soon you run out of semesters and graduate.

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2022, 03:35:23 pm
content: Study is just conditioning you to be a good work-ant not to be creative.Sorry for that, dont get mad, your own choise.

author: Capernicus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2022, 04:18:11 pm
content: Quote from: rstofer on January 08, 2022, 03:31:41 pmThats what they say for Jail, except its one day at a time, and it takes a loooooooooooooooong time to get out.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2022, 04:20:44 pm
content: Get off the meds, life doesn't get a lot easier than college. I'm not saying college is easy, no, I'm saying things can always get worse! There will be worthless projects, insane schedules, constant scope change, ignorant bosses, too little budget, people problems, general disruption and all those kinds of things every single day of your working life and you can't spend your life on drugs. I don't want to sugar coat it, there were some truly ugly times during my career. I just had to roll with it. Thankfully, I have been retired for 18 years and doing just fine without all the drama.Some time back, you set a goal of graduating from college with a useful degree. It was a good decision, now stick with it. Gut it out and enjoy the fruits of your labor after graduation.Some universities require summer internships. Maybe this is a really good idea because the students get to see where they're headed. Interns are treated quite well and nobody expects them to be fully up to speed but at least they can see working conditions as they really are. If your program requires internships, pay attention to what is going on around you. Watch the people dynamics! Even if internships aren't required, you might find some free time during summer break and maybe the school can line you up with something.In the end, you're going to have to suck it up and focus on what's right in front of you. One semester at a time! Pass that semester and move on to the next semester. Rinse and repeat until you run out of semesters. Look behind to see what you have accomplished and don't look too far forward to see what's still to come. One semester at a time!

author: CaptDon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2022, 11:46:57 pm
content: Find some classmates who like to hang out in the labs. Compare notes. Make up some 'Flash Cards' questions on the front, answers on the back.Ask each other questions or examples you are having trouble with. I also am handicapped with reading comprehension. If you show me or guide me with practical examples as I solve the problem I will retain it forever. Learning it from a book without the company of friends asking 'why is it so' or "I remember working on something that resembled this" was always a problem for me. When I was studying for my Captain's exam I wasn't even in my home, I was in a hotel in Tulsa Oklahoma. During the days I was helping our contract manufacturer weed through some serious issues making our product. After supper I spent evenings studying all aspects of seamanship including knot tying (marlinspike). My company flew me back to Erie each weekend for exams and to pick up the next weeks study and reference material. The fact that you resort to Youtube and all the other distractions shows a lack of discipline which sadly I see more and more of in our new hires. Take a break, go for a walk, find other students to have a coffee or Mountain Dew with and then just get over it and go back to studying. Have you ever been exposed to "This project must be done by the end of the month and you 'salaried' engineers are going to be doing seven 'Tens' or even 'Twelves' until it is finished!! 70 to 80 hour weeks for 40 hour pay!!! The rewards can be great with a great company, You could become an overnight millionaire through a 'buy-out', but you need to be one of the ones who earned it and has his name as a contributor to every project. Sadly you could also get screwed over just as easy. Every winner is a player, not every player is a winner. I just need to know if I walk through fire for you that you will be right behind me 'making it to the end of the flames' where hopefully cool water waits!!!

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2022, 11:50:23 pm
content: seeiCanStudyBloom's Taxonomy youTube video for a popular learning theory - I think it is self evident but you do need to put into practice, as they say, to get it to work.

author: fourfathom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2022, 01:34:20 am
content: I don't think this applies in this particular case, but anyway:Sometimes you just aren't ready to do anything "concrete". I've spent weeks sitting in my office or at my workstation, appearing to be just staring into space and my boss is getting worried. I've got a big problem to solve but nothing to show for it. But I am actually thinking about it, consciously and subconsciously, and letting it "soak in". Finally it clicks and I can start to see the big picture, and am able to design an architecture that fits the problem.I would never have been able to "discover" the problem structure and solution architecture without the initial period of quiet contemplation. Sometimes if you just "dig in" and start doing stuff it's going to result in a crappy solution, or none at all.But for this to work, you need to have the initial information at hand and understood. You can't start out blank and expect magic to happen.

author: Capernicus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2022, 11:46:28 am
content: Quote from: armandine2 on January 08, 2022, 11:50:23 pmYou forget the level on the triangle that has "got tired cant do triangle anymore."

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2022, 12:14:12 pm
content: Capernicus - I watched theiCanStudyfellow the other night on YT - there's now more of a competitive and driven culture (it seems) to really maximize grades. This type of engagement wasn't my experience, or many of my peers, at college/university in the 1980s. I can't really attribute my lack of engagement to burnout - when I hit the buffers it is usually because I get intellectually stumped and eventually give up, with the point of arrested development being a nagging motivation to get better educated.

author: Capernicus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2022, 12:53:36 pm
content: Im not talking about being intellectually stumped, I mean its possibly even worse, ppl that cant clean their houses, or even get simple things done they can perfectly handle cause a severe energy deficit.And its commonplace! happens to nearly everyone I'm suspecting, just gotta keep truckin' through it.

author: LaserSteve
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2022, 04:15:53 am
content: Learn a strategy such as PQ4RPQ4R has worked for every student I have mentored.Most colleges these days have some formof learning strategies office separate from advising / tutoring.I'm not a Prof, but I work in an EngineeringCollege, Know Ye This, if you have made it to second year, we Do Not want you to fail. Ask for help.On average, a failing student who drops out costs a department several thousand Dollars or more in performance bonuses per successful semester that vary by state or nation.This is above and beyond what your tuition pays.Nobody wants to loose you, or that funding. Take a co-op, the challenge of working for a real company generally recharges a students batteries. Spend some time hunting a potential spouse. Teaching and Nursing students love Engineers, because their classes keep them as busy as you are, so they won't waste your time.Skip the study drugs unless your on the spectrum. Faculty views that as a loss of your personal integrity.Your brain needs natural carbs, avoid high fructose anything.B complex ,B12, C, D, K, Potassium , Calcium, Milk, peppers, mushrooms, sucrose, cane sugars, garlic, natural cheeses, and a small amount of natural oils (Pizza, not frozen) Salids, brown and green teas in modest amounts. No Colas. Especially NO diet sodas. Bananas, Oranges, Apples. Your brain uses high quality fats and oils to build tissue. Fats and oils are solvents to carry nutrients. Coffee is the learning exlir of the God(s) in moderate amounts.We have a food pantry on campus now, because nutrition matters for students who are taking a full load and struggling to work full time.Find a good Church / / Synagogue/ Temple/ T⁹ribe with a rocking band and go sing praise every Saturday / Sunday. A faith component is important for your mental health. Not to mention the various 2000 year old books contain a lot of wisdom [or common sense?]that helps you understand "Why?". Besides the old ladies and gentlemen will adopt you. It never hurts to have older friends. Chances are they will know how to fix your mental and physical health. After all, they made it through the "System" The right music is important. SiNG! (If allowed)Find a lab to do a summer research assignment with hands on. Tends to lead to a graduate scholarship. The happy-go-lucky productive smiling undergraduates i know thrive doing scut work in graduate research labs. The happiest usually are in a lab outside their degree field. To a graduate student, having UGs around is often very satisfying. They love to teach as it helps them think. If they are TAs, well that is usually a bonus for the UG..If in the US. Consider the. Free first Semester (no commitment.) Of ROTC. Or hang out with the Civil Air Patrol.Hiking club / Biking Club / Rugby, Soccer. Team activity with discipline. EtcSleep. Take Short Naps, Make sure you dream properly. No REM sleep / no dreaming leads to fatigue and intellectual death.Lots of water, drink it. It too is a solvent the body needs.DO NOT QUIT.Own views, not that of my employer.Steve

author: rpiloverbd
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2022, 07:44:09 am
content: Hmm... lots of medicines I must say. Did your Psychiatrist refer you to any psychotherapist? Usually, psychological treatment is a combination of medicine and psychotherapy. If you have not gone for any psychotherapy session yet, I think you must go to a clinical psychologist. Do not forget to take your prescriptions with you. I think regular counselling sessions will make you feel better. If you see no improvement, you may go to another psychiatrist for a second opinion regarding the medicines you're taking.