How to deal with study fatigue

There is a point in every exam journey where your energy begins to dip.

As your exams draw closer, your instinct might be to push harder, more study hours, more notes, more exam questions.

When your energy levels begin to dip, rather than adding more pressure it is worth taking some time to reflect on what is going on for you and then making smart adjustments.

What Kind of Fatigue are You Dealing with?

While we all have heard of workplace burnout, students can also face academic burnout. Academic burnout is a state of emotional exhaustion due to study demands, accompanied by a cynical or detached attitude towards one’s studies, and a reduced sense of academic efficacy (Wilmar Schaufeli). The signs and symptoms may include:

• Persistent exhaustion
• Loss of motivation
• Cynicism or detachment from studies
• Reduced concentration and productivity
• Increased self-doubt.
• Emotional changes

If you feel you are experiencing academic burnout, I recommend speaking to your healthcare professional.

On the other hand, you may not be experiencing academic burnout but are feeling exhausted from the pressure, the long days of study and the constant concentration.

Let’s consider some smart adjustments you can make when the study fatigue sets in.

1.  Move from “quantity” of study hours to “quality” study

When it comes to studying for professional exams, it is not about the quantity of study you are doing, it is about the quality of study you are doing.

Often when I speak to students, there is no doubt that they are studying hard. I too would study for hours on end when studying for my professional exams but now I can look back with the benefit of hindsight and see, I was not doing quality study.

For study to be effective, students should focus on:

• Active learning over passive review
• Practising questions rather than rereading notes
• Testing what you know, not just recognising it

I always encourage students to set themselves a learning goal, engage in active learning and then hold themselves to account. For example:

In the next 30 minutes I want to learn the journal entry for the purchase of fixed assets. Throughout the 30 minutes, engage in active recall and continuously test yourself on the topic. Once your time is up, hold yourself to account. Did you achieve the goal you set out for yourself?

2.  Protect your energy, not just your time

Energy management matters just as much as time management.

Ask yourself:

• When do I have the most energy in my day?
• Where am I wasting energy unnecessarily?
• What small change would help me feel 5% better? That might be getting proper deep productive breaks while you study. A deep break might be getting outside for a short walk, listening to some music, even watching the kettle as it boils for you cup of coffee.

Breaks fuel your productivity.

3.  Be honest about what is realistic

It is worth asking yourself:

• How realistic is my study plan?
• What actually fits into this week?
• What needs to be prioritised?
• What can wait?

4.  Keep perspective

Fatigue can often cloud your thinking. It can make you feel like you are behind, not doing enough, or not where you “should” be.

Progress is not always visible day to day but know that you are moving the dial forward every time you engage in smart study.

Conclusion

Working through fatigue is not about pushing yourself to the limit. It is about adapting and studying in a way that works with your energy, not against it.