How To Manage Your Time At University To Avoid Burnout
By Library Student Partner, Juanmo Xu
University life is, and yet isn’t, just about study. It’s also about societies, socials, SU events, invited lectures that sound just interesting enough to say yes to, and a dozen other “this might look good on my CV” commitments. It’s exciting. It’s chaotic. And, if you’re not careful, it can pile up fast. Before it all becomes too much, Juanmo Xu is here with some tips on how to avoid burnout.
Burnout doesn’t always announce itself with drama. Sometimes it’s just constant tiredness, brain fog, or feeling like you’re busy all the time but getting nowhere. Here are a few strategies that can help you manage your time—and energy—before things hit boiling point.
Balance your calendar - not just your coursework
We often plan for assignments and exams, but forget to account for everything else: rehearsals, volunteering, friend catch-ups, part-time work. If your week feels packed but you’re not sure why—check your whole calendar.
It’s okay to be involved. It’s also okay to say, “Actually, I’ve got enough on.” Time is finite. Your energy? Even more so.
"You don’t have to earn rest. You need it to keep going."
Ask: is this exciting or just FOMO?
Academic FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is real (sadly!). Teaching opportunities, conferences, reading groups—it’s easy to overcommit, especially when everything sounds “good for your CV.” But here’s the sad truth: a burnt-out version of you won’t benefit from any of it.
If it’s not aligned with your priorities, or if it drains more than it gives, it’s okay to pass. Being interested ≠ needing to get involved.
Time-block your energy, not just your tasks
It’s not just what you plan, but when. I’ve learned to guard my mid-mornings for deep work, and leave admin, emails or lighter reading for the afternoons when my brain naturally slows down. Maybe you’re a night owl. Maybe you love sunrise study sessions. Notice your rhythms—and work with them, not against them. Burnout often comes from ignoring what our bodies are trying to tell us...
Rest is a part of the plan (not what's left over)
I used to think rest was something I had to earn. Like: finish everything, then I get to relax. But guess what? Uni never fully “finishes.” Now—after a few painful lessons—I schedule rest like I schedule seminars. It’s fixed. It’s protected. It’s necessary.
"Time is finite. Your energy? Even more so."
Please, build in REAL rest: screen-free breaks, slow evenings, time with friends that isn’t crammed between two deadlines. A walk. A no-laptop lunch. A night of fiction instead of footnotes.
You don’t have to earn rest. You need it to keep going.
You don't have to do everything every week
Life at uni moves fast—but that doesn’t mean you have to. Some weeks will be heavier than others. That’s normal. You can skip a social. You can turn down an invite. You can take a Saturday completely off without guilt. If your week is already full, it’s okay to decline.
Saying “no for now” is not failure—it’s a REAL strategy.
Share the weight
Uni life can feel isolating—especially if you are away from home like me—and that makes stress hit harder. But you’re not alone. Share how you’re feeling with course mates, join school events, or even just have a low-stakes chat over coffee in the Library Café (yes, I’m advertising!). You might find others feeling the same—and suddenly, things feel lighter.
If it’s all getting too much, don’t wait—reach out to Warwick Wellbeing and Student Support Services or your department’s personal tutor system. Burnout thrives in silence.
Protect your flame, don't burn it out
So be ambitious. Be curious. Say yes to things—but also say yes to rest. You don’t have to do it all. You just have to do enough to keep going, gently, honestly, and in a way that still feels like you.
University isn’t just about what you achieve. It’s also about how well you take care of the person who’s achieving it. You’re NOT falling behind. You’re learning how to SUSTAIN yourself. You’ve got time. And you’ve got this.
Have you seen these other wellbeing tips and tricks?
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How To Manage Your Time At University To Avoid Burnout
By Library Student Partner, Juanmo Xu
University life is, and yet isn’t, just about study. It’s also about societies, socials, SU events, invited lectures that sound just interesting enough to say yes to, and a dozen other “this might look good on my CV” commitments. It’s exciting. It’s chaotic. And, if you’re not careful, it can pile up fast. Before it all becomes too much, Juanmo Xu is here with some tips on how to avoid burnout.
Keeping Momentum as a PG in the Summer Vacation Period
By Library Student Partner, Juanmo Xu
Let’s face it - summer is strange as a postgrad. The undergrads have packed up and left, campus events have slowed down, and the pace around you might feel more like a Sunday afternoon than a working week. But for postgraduates, it’s not a break. Whether you’re a PGT wrestling with your dissertation or a PGR continuing your research (unless you’re on well-earned annual leave!), the work doesn’t stop - though the structure might. Here’s Juanmo Xu’s tips for keeping up the momentum in the summer.