General information about exhaustion

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What is study exhaustion?

Study exhaustion is measured by the same factors as work exhaustion. It is a study-related stress syndrome made up of three factors:

1. exhaustion-level fatigue that does not subside with rest,
2. cynicism about school or studies, i.e., the student starts to question the importance of studies,
3. a feeling of inadequacy as a student.

Recently, the definition has been extended to include

4. emotional (difficulty in emotion regulation) and 5) cognitive (impaired performance) factors.

Currently, the research community thinks that exhaustion-level fatigue is the key factor in the development of exhaustion. It can lead to a decline in emotional and cognitive functioning, which in turn can ultimately lead to feelings of detachment and inadequacy.

The opposite of exhaustion is enthusiasm

Enthusiasm can be considered the opposite of exhaustion. Study enthusiasm combines the following three elements:

1. Energy (emotional): An energetic student is persistent, makes an effort, and has a positive attitude towards learning.
2. Decisiveness (cognitive): A determined student is committed to learning.
3. Immersion in learning (functional): Immersion refers to the flow-like experience associated with learning.

Exhaustion is also known to be a social phenomenon: it is shared within families and peer communities. A teacher’s exhaustion can also be transmitted to students. Social support is, therefore, a key preventive factor.

Exhaustion develops gradually

Exhaustion develops gradually, so it can be hard to notice. The longer the period of exhaustion, the slower the recovery will be. The condition can be compared to the overtraining state experienced by athletes, where it takes time for the body’s nervous system to recover.

Relapses are unfortunately common with exhaustion, and exhaustion can also lead to depression, which is now the most common cause of an inability to work.

Exhaustion, therefore, has serious consequences for both the individual and society.

How can you recognise the signs of exhaustion?

• You are constantly tired, and the fatigue does not go away when you rest.
• You often find yourself irritable or tearful.
• You find it hard to remember things.
• You question the relevance of your studies.
• You constantly feel that you are not doing enough for your studies.

What to do if exhaustion strikes?

In most cases, the first thing you need to recover from exhaustion is rest from work or study. In many cases, professional help from a doctor or psychologist may also be needed to assess the situation.

You need to find out what is causing the exhaustion. Often, there can be several factors. External burdening factors include issues like too much work, a competitive atmosphere, or the illness of a loved one.

It is also important for people recovering from exhaustion to reflect on their ways of working and thinking, as these often involve factors that cause exhaustion. Such factors can include setting overly demanding personal goals and not getting enough rest in your free time. You may have too little free time or too many activities.

You can start by contacting any student welfare professional: a guidance counsellor, a psychologist, a nurse, a school social worker, etc.
You can also get help from the health services and, if necessary, sick leave.
Talk to your loved ones, too. Social support is important.