Burnout is real. Regardless of what anyone says, there is such a thing as doing too much at once. Going 500 miles an hour constantly, or the equivalent, isn’t healthy. But there are ways you can manage it.

The first thing you can do is make a list. If you’re like me and forget to make a list, take note of that to remind yourself to create one. Lists are great for several reasons: they help organize thoughts, give an opportunity to plan out the day and can help lower stress. Looking at a list of everything you need to do for one day can make you realize that there isn’t too much you have to do after all. There have been numerous times where I’ve created a list while my stress threatened to overwhelm me. After making a list, I realize that all the things I had to do were short, small and I could get them done fairly quickly. You don’t have to go out of your way to buy a notebook for this, unless you want to, of course. You can make lists on practically anything: phones, napkins or tablets. Don’t make excuses not to make a list, it just adds onto the pile of stress you’re sitting on. 

Another thing you can do to avoid burnout is to take a moment for yourself. Unfortunately, this can be one of the hardest things to do. Taking a moment for yourself is very hard to approach, but in times like this, remember what makes you happy. Taking your dog for a walk, cooking, writing and listening to music can be very helpful when you need to take a step back and breathe. Just know that you are not a horrible person or a failure because you need a breather. Taking a small moment for yourself, even for five minutes, will definitely help you in the long run. You can come back stronger and more focused, ready to tackle all the things you need to do. 

College is stressful. Life is stressful. But the more you dwell on the stress, the more broken you will become. Don’t live your life thinking 12 steps ahead of yourself, you’ll never be able to catch up. You will never be happy, but learning how to manage all the stress in your life can help you avoid burnout. Only then can happiness and relief shine their way through, letting you know that everything is going to be okay.