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College life comes with exciting opportunities, but it can also feel overwhelming. Between assignments, exams and responsibilities outside the classroom, it’s easy to forget that mental health matters just as much as grades. When that balance slips, burnout can set in.

The FranU Department of Counseling and Disability Services defines burnout as:

“A state of persistent physical, emotional and cognitive exhaustion that results from prolonged academic stress, excessive workload and/or lack of adequate rest and recovery. Unlike ordinary stress, burnout reflects a deeper sense of depletion that interferes with motivation, concentration and overall wellbeing.”

In other words, burnout doesn’t simply cause you to feel tired. It makes it harder to focus, stay motivated and take care of yourself.

What Causes Burnout?

According to our counselors, burnout usually builds up over time, not from a single cause but from a combination of stressors. Some common ones include:

• Academic Demands: Heavy course loads, constant deadlines, exams and pressure to maintain high GPAs.

• Perfectionism & High Expectations: Internal pressure to excel, or external expectations from family, faculty or future career goals.

• Poor Work–Life Balance: Difficulty managing academics alongside part-time jobs, extracurriculars, internships or caregiving responsibilities.

• Lack of Rest & Recovery: Insufficient sleep, irregular eating patterns and little time for physical activity or relaxation.

• Isolation or Limited Support: Being away from home, feeling disconnected socially or not having a strong support system on campus.

• Financial Stress: Worry about tuition, living expenses or needing to work long hours to afford school.

• Uncertainty �������Ƶ the Future: Anxiety about career paths, job markets or graduate school.

• Technology & Constant Connectivity: Pressure to always be “on,” compare oneself to others on social media or manage overwhelming digital communication.

How to Protect Your Wellbeing

FranU Counselor Laine Thornburg gives her insight into dealing with student burnout, explaining that balance is key:

“Maintaining a healthy balance in college doesn’t mean splitting time evenly between academics and personal life, it means being intentional about how you care for yourself while pursuing your goals.”

Some practical strategies she recommends:

• Break down large assignments into smaller steps

• Stick to a routine

• Prioritize getting consistent sleep

• Set boundaries such as limiting social media or saying no to extra commitments

We Have Your Back: Where to Turn for Support

If you think you may be experiencing burnout, you don’t have to go through it alone. Our counseling department offers confidential, free resources for students, including:

• Individual counseling

• Group therapy and support groups

• Workshops and skill-building programs

The Division of Student Affairs’ other departments also offer support for burnout in their own individualized way. These include:

• Learning Resource Center

• Academic Advising

• Franciscan Student Life and Servant Leadership

• Vocational Discernment and Career Development

Not Sure �������Ƶ Counseling? Start Small

It’s normal to feel nervous about reaching out. If scheduling a one-on-one appointment feels daunting, start small by visiting the counseling department’s website, reading about services or talking with a trusted professor, advisor or friend.

Thornburg emphasizes, “Counseling is not about judgment, but about having someone walk alongside you as you sort through challenges. Reaching out is not a burden on anyone, it’s a healthy step toward caring for yourself.”

Even one conversation can open the door to resources and relief you might not have known were possible.

Burnout is common, but it’s not something you have to push through alone. FranU is committed to serving through the tools, people and support systems put in place to help students thrive while pursuing their dreams.

Ready to reach out? Schedule a counseling appointment at franu.edu/counseling