Summer Isn't Always a Break: Understanding Student Burnout

Written by: Harmanjot Matharu, 3rd year Political Science student
Photo by: Western Communications

As final exams wrapped up in April, you might have thought the stress of university was finally over until returning to campus in the fall. The conventional narrative tells us that May to August is a time for resetting, catching your breath, and escaping the stress of university. While this may be the case for some, the reality for many students is that summer brings a different kind of pressure. Burnout doesn't necessarily end when classes do; instead, it can take on a different form during the summer months. If you are feeling just as exhausted, anxious, and mentally drained as you did during April finals, know you are not doing summer wrong, and you are definitely not alone in this experience. You may be experiencing summer burnout, a completely normal experience that can stem from various sources.

In this blog, we’re going to explore the different factors that contribute to summer burnout, from summer school and internships to jobs, résumé pressure, and Western’s highly competitive internship culture. We’ll also dive into the different pressures students may experience throughout the summer and why taking time to rest can sometimes feel so difficult. Most importantly, we’ll explore strategies for managing stress, navigating summer burnout, and working through feelings of doubt.

The Endless Summer Schedule: Balancing Work, Summer classes, and Life

The transition from the end of the semester is quick, and many students rarely feel like they've gotten a break. It just feels like trading one high-stress environment for another. Students often move directly into full-time jobs, summer courses, internships, research positions, volunteer commitments, and many other different avenues. While these opportunities are often rewarding, they can also lead to student burnout since it leaves little time to truly recharge after the academic year. Some of the most common sources of summer burnout include:

Summer Courses: These courses often compress an entire semester into just a few weeks, creating a fast-paced learning module. You are expected to complete course expectations in a fraction of the time of a regular course, which can be hard to get through on top of external commitments. It is easy to become overwhelmed, which can increase feelings of stress and burnout for many students.
Full-Time Commitments and Internships: Landing a corporate internship, research position, or full-time summer job is a huge achievement, but it can also be a significant adjustment. Swapping lecture halls for a structured 9-to-5 schedule while navigating new workplace expectations can be mentally exhausting. The pressure to make a good first impression, prove yourself, and maximize every opportunity can make it difficult to set healthy boundaries, contributing to burnout over time. Remember that adjusting to a professional environment takes time, so prioritize your well-being by creating a healthy work-life balance, taking breaks, and allowing yourself time to recover outside of work.
Preparation for Professional Exams and Extracurriculars: Summer also comes with post-grad program preparation, with many students often using the summer to study for demanding entrance exams like the MCAT or LSAT. Often, students are not only studying for these high-stakes tests but also are balancing other commitments. It is important to recognize that trying to excel in multiple areas simultaneously can quickly become draining. Take a little time for rest and recovery to make sure you stay productive without facing burnout.

The “Blank Resume” Anxiety and its Links to Burnout

What if your summer calendar isn't packed? Strangely, having an empty schedule can feel just as stressful.

Western is a highly ambitious and hyper-competitive environment, and achievement can be closely linked to self-worth. While this culture is inspiring to many students and pushes them to pursue meaningful opportunities, it creates the feeling that every summer should be spent adding another line to your resume which can result in a different type of burnout. As a result, many students feel pressure to compare their summer experiences with those of their peers, making it seem as though they need a packed schedule to be successful. If you weren't able to secure an internship, research position, or a summer job, it's easy to wonder if you're falling behind everyone else.

Social media and LinkedIn really amplify these feelings. Seeing peers share exciting updates about new positions or accomplishments may lead to you comparing your own journey. In an era where internships, research experiences, and leadership opportunities are increasingly valued and highly competitive, it's easy to feel as though your accomplishments aren't as recognizable or that your career isn't moving in the direction you would prefer. This pressure can be exhausting in its own way, as students may experience burnout not from having too much to do, but from constantly comparing themselves to others and feeling the need to keep up. It can become difficult to appreciate and celebrate your achievements as they may not follow the same path as others, but it's important to recognize that the common path is not the only path. Your journey is your own. Allow yourself to celebrate every milestone no matter how big or small, and trust that your path doesn't have to look like anyone else's.

Navigating Burnout

Getting through the summer without feeling the effects of burnout requires real change to how we set boundaries between self-care and external commitments. Here are a few simple ways to start:

Set a Daily Cut-Off Time: Whether you are working full-time, conducting research, or taking classes during this summer, make sure to decide when you are officially “done” for the day. Give yourself a buffer between finishing your commitments and allowing yourself to relax and decompress after your day.
Time Management: Everyone is busy in their own way and we all have various commitments. That's why it's important to manage your tasks in a way that is realistic and sustainable. Rather than trying to complete everything at once, prioritize your most important responsibilities and try to break tasks up. This will allow you to not only produce the best work, but also help create a balanced routine.
Make Time For Things You Enjoy: Summer shouldn’t only be about working and completing your commitments. It should also include doing things that genuinely bring you joy. Whether that be spending time with friends or reading a book, simply taking the time to rest and allowing yourself to recharge can help reduce stress.

Resources at Western

If you are experiencing feelings of stress, burnout, or feeling overwhelmed, remember that you don't have to navigate it alone. Western offers a variety of resources to support students throughout the year, including the summer.

Health and Wellness Services (Thames Hall): This is a professional, confidential mental health counselling and medical assistance service which is provided to all Western students and remains accessible all summer. You can book an appointment by calling 519-661-3030. If you require same day support, clinical triage is available Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Thames Hall (Room 2170)
Mental Health Support & Community Health Resources: If you require further assistance, the Western Wellness and Well-being website has various crisis supports listed that are free to access for all students. You can access these services both online and in-person.

Final Thoughts

As we move through the rest of the summer, take a second to understand the importance of making time for yourself. Your worth as a person is not solely based on your achievements or how many lines you add to your resume. While Western is home to many ambitious students, it’s easy to feel like you are behind and compare your journey to others. However, everyone’s path is different, and it is important to remember that success should never come at the expense of your well-being. As you continue working towards your summer goals, prioritize balance, set healthy boundaries, and make time to rest. This will help you become the best version of yourself in a healthy and maintainable way.

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