“Fresh” Out of Energy: A Look into Freshman Fatigue

Lifestyle Editor- Brianna Liu

For many, the excitement of starting a school year quickly sours into stress and exhaustion. Especially for freshmen, high school can be overwhelming. 

Fatigue is quick to take over as stress, combined with the difficulty of becoming accustomed to high school, increases. The new schedules, higher expectations and social circles of high school can feel like a whole new world compared to middle school. “During freshman year, it was really difficult for me because it was a new environment and I didn’t have many friends,” said sophomore Suning Yang. 

Sophomores, who experience even higher workloads in their second year of high school, experience a similar dip in motivation, often referred to as sophomore slump. Both freshman fatigue and sophomore slump are part of a larger issue in schools: student burnout. Burnout happens when students’ commitments outweigh motivation. The lack of energy can lead to plunges in academic and extracurricular performance; its effect on mental health manifests in emotional strain and exhaustion. “As a sophomore, I experienced extreme burnout due to overstretching myself, actively participating in 5 clubs, color guard and several AICE classes,” said junior Margaret Voytenko. “Oftentimes, I was getting 3 hours of sleep.”

Fighting the effects of burnout often comes down to balance. It’s important to set realistic goals, break down tasks and manage time. But remember to focus on self-care, too: in the midst of all the stress, it’s vital to take time for oneself. Maintain a consistent routine. Try to get more than eight hours of sleep each night. Eat healthy, get exercise and spend time outside. Make time for hobbies and friends outside of school. What’s most important is prioritizing needs and finding what works in times of stress.

Some find it rewarding to take time to connect with other students. “I fought [burnout] by just being organized at school and actually taking the initiative when talking to people,” said Yang. Meanwhile, “What helped me most was prioritizing sleep, making sure I got at least 8 hours,” said Voytenko. “Simultaneously, I was making time for things I enjoyed like dance and [using] better time management, not leaving things to the last second.”

If falling into a slump, remember not to lose hope: burnout is not permanent! No matter the grade level, everyone needs time to recharge.