Parents Beware: “If You Are Not Ahead, You Are Behind” Is Not a Healthy Mental Strategy
Today, high school is more challenging for students than ever before. The constant pressure to excel academically, participate in extracurricular activities, and prepare for the future often leaves students overwhelmed. Recently, at a parent orientation, a story was shared that highlights this struggle: a student who had fallen behind on several projects because of pending physics assignments. She still lagged behind despite giving up her summer holidays to catch up. This chaotic academic pressure affected her social life she became less engaged with family and friends and suffered from irregular sleep and anxiety attacks over minor issues. Despite these warning signs, her parents insisted on extra evening tuitions, hoping she could keep up with the class. Unfortunately, cases like hers are increasingly common, and they showcase a worrying trend—students feeling burnt out, exhausted, and unable to enjoy learning or life.
What Is Academic or Student Burnout?
Academic burnout is a state where schoolwork and home life feel so overwhelming that students believe they cannot cope. Symptoms include tiredness, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and a loss of motivation. Though many students have long experienced this, burnout was only officially classified in 2019 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a work-related phenomenon under the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
Burnout differs from temporary stress—it is a chronic exhaustion that affects both mental and physical health. The transition to hybrid learning, combining in-person and online classes, has further increased these challenges as students juggle different learning modes while maintaining academic standards.
How Can You Tell If Your Child or Teen Is Suffering From Burnout?
Sometimes, the individual struggling may not recognise the problem until friends or family notice changes. Professor Craig Jackson, a health psychologist at Birmingham City University, advises listening carefully when people comment that someone seems “on edge” or “more irritable.”
Some common signs include:
- Persistent exhaustion regardless of sleep quality, leading to fatigue or insomnia.
- Lack of motivation to attend classes or start assignments.
- Increased irritability or frustration that causes lashing out.
- Difficulty generating inspiration or creativity for projects and class discussions.
- Loss of confidence in academic abilities.
- Failure to meet crucial deadlines.
- Physical symptoms like headaches, muscle pain, or jaw tension.
- Frequent illnesses due to stress-related lowered immunity.
- Developing unhealthy habits like overeating, nail-biting, or staying awake late.
- Trouble focusing on schoolwork or listening in lectures.
- Becoming bored or disinterested in school or previously enjoyed activities.
- Manifestations of anxiety or depression.
Recognising these early can help intervene before burnout worsens.
How to Prevent and Recover From Academic Burnout
The good news is that burnout can be managed and prevented with daily habits and supportive environments. Here are five tips from NOVORESUME to help your child:
1. Create a Structured Daily Routine: Developing effective time management skills provides control and motivation. A consistent schedule helps students plan tasks and reduces anxiety about unknown workloads.
2. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Burnout drains both the mind and body. Encourage adequate sleep, nutritious food, hydration (eight glasses of water daily), and at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity to support overall well-being.
3. Learn to Say ‘No’: College or school life offers many academic and social activities. Learning to decline some commitments protects energy and focuses attention on priorities.
4. Prioritise Health and Relationships: While education is important, students must acknowledge that productivity plummets when they are burned out. Support your child by emphasising mental health and social connections as foundations for success.
5. Practice Good Sleep Hygiene: Restful sleep greatly facilitates recovery. Recommend habits such as turning off screens one hour before bedtime, keeping the bedroom cool and ventilated, and using blackout curtains to promote quality sleep.
The Role of Parental Involvement
Parents play the most critical role in shaping a healthy approach to academic success and life balance. Today, many parents worry about how their children compare academically and socially with others. This can lead to excessive pressure, inadvertently causing more harm than good.
Parents often have unrealistic expectations based on external comparisons and may overlook their child’s emotional needs. Youths also face pressure from multiple areas, including sports, arts, and hobbies, which can compound stress.
It is essential for parents to:
- Set limits thoughtfully to protect teens from poor decisions and overload. Restrictions act as guardrails since adolescents may not regulate themselves effectively.
- Reflect on whether pushing a child to enter a prestigious school at all costs is beneficial. Often, a child’s psychological energy and motivation matter more for college success than the college name itself.
- Support the child’s healthy development, ensuring they remain energised and psychologically stable towards their educational and life goals.
Building a Supportive Family Environment
A balanced schedule that encourages growth without overwhelming a child is essential. Parents should promote:
- Open communication about struggles and mental health.
- Recognition of individual differences and learning styles.
- Time for rest, fun, and relaxation alongside academics.
Academic burnout is a growing epidemic among youth that demands attention from parents, educators, and communities. By understanding its signs, causes, and prevention strategies—along with providing consistent parental support—children can regain motivation, improve mental health, and rediscover joy in learning and life. Teaching students healthy habits, encouraging balanced priorities, and setting reasonable limits will help them navigate their academic journeys successfully and sustainably