We are three-quarters of the way through the school year, on the cusp of Spring Break. For many, it has felt like twice as long. Burnout is a plague that is taking over schools at a rapid pace. Every year in regularity, students walk into their classrooms with their expectations lofty, and goals set high. However, because of the repetitive nature of the school week, an overbearing amount of homework, sports practices, and job shifts, students are emotionally, physically, and intellectually depleted at an alarming rate.

  According to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), burnout is defined as, “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” It’s categorized as “feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job.” It’s possible to get burned out on more than just school or work. Hobbies and sports aren’t immune from this scourge. The burnout epidemic sweeps across the country every year in frequency, but this year appears to be an eccentricity due to Covid-19. 

  Micah Wittler, junior at Frederick agrees. “With the whole COVID situation and everything, there is certainly a lot of burn-out for extracurricular just for general interest in school.” His solution to handle impending burnout? “You just have to stay inspired. Whatever it is you’re pursuing, just find the motivation and goals you have set for yourself to keep persevering.” 

  According to helpguide.org, remedying burnout is a long-winded process. Attending your emotional and physical health is a top priority. Taking breaks from technology, getting sleep, and finding significance in your work all can help you overcome burnout. Getting exercise and eating a healthy diet are contributing factors as well. Essentially, your body needs to be in a healthy condition if you expect your brain to be in a prosperous condition as well.

  Junior Owen Willis concedes that burnout has generally intensified at the school over the recent weeks. Owen explains that “what started the burnout for me is just managing my schedule and all the activities I’m in.” He says that life for him and most high schoolers, in general, has “just gotten busier. People are getting more involved in things and it’s probably taking a toll on them.” Owen says that his antidote for burnout is “communicating with my teachers working on one thing at a time.”