Back to school fatigue

Johannes Johannes
It's the start of the school year, which means it's back to homework, tests and exams for students, which can be stressful for some.

School fatigue is defined as a decrease in the ability to concentrate or a decreased attention span during lessons. Teens frequently experience academic stress. It is caused by too much schoolwork, stress over producing satisfactory grades or even a lack of sleep.

Taimi Angula, a grade 8 learner at Hage Geingob High School, described school-related fatigue as an "overwhelming experience," given that she is required to complete a lot of schoolwork in a short period of time.

How do you know whether you are experiencing school fatigue?

Excessive yawning during lessons, a decreased willingness to attempt schoolwork, or an inability to complete school tasks are all symptoms of school fatigue.

According to Cross River Therapy statistics, 45% of high school students admit to feeling stressed almost every day. Sixty-one percent of teenagers aged 13 to 17 are stressed about getting good grades.

How to beat it

It is important to maintain your physical health: eat properly, rest well, take a deep breath, get some physical activity and drink plenty of water. A small amount of self-care goes a long way.

Reboot: Take a nap, go for a walk or have a snack. Everyone has something that recharges their batteries. Find out what works best for you and incorporate it into your daily routine. Need some assistance? A list of things to try can be found by searching for "energy break ideas."

Choose your peak time: Do the difficult tasks when you're at your sharpest. It could be 4:00 or 15:00. Everyone is unique. Not sure when the best time is? Keep an activity log for a few days and note when you have the most energy and mental clarity, then structure your activities accordingly.

Learn to let go: You can't always do it all. Remember that work is infinite, but time is finite.

There is always more to do. And there are only 24 hours in a day. Focus on the most important tasks, and only three to five of them at most.