How do I minimize/prevent AND recover from burnout from studying?

[fourfathom]

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.

[Capernicus]

see iCanStudy Bloom'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.

You forget the level on the triangle that has "got tired cant do triangle anymore."

[armandine2]

Capernicus - I watched the iCanStudy fellow 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.

[Capernicus]

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.

[LaserSteve]

Learn a strategy  such as PQ4R
PQ4R has worked for every student I have mentored.
Most colleges these days have some form
of learning strategies office separate from advising / tutoring.

I'm not a Prof, but I work in an Engineering
 College, 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. Etc

Sleep. 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

[rpiloverbd]

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.