Every educational journey is stressful at times, and college is considered to be one of the greatest challenges you will need to face on your way to “the real world”. Here, you will not only obtain the necessary academic knowledge you need to build a thriving career, but you will also learn how to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges, manage your time and acknowledge the power of proper sleep, and balance numerous proverbial balls in the air.

On your way to academic success, though, the risk of burning out and falling behind will always be present. There is no telling how the daily stress of university life might affect your body and mind, so let’s take a look at four effective tips that will help you prevent burnout and maintain top levels of productivity in the process.

It all begins with organization

Whenever you feel like you don’t have what it takes, just remember that meticulous organization and hard work always trumps talent. There is nothing you wouldn’t be able to achieve if you simply improved your organizational skills, meaning that you need to make a schedule and a weekly plan, and stick to it.

While you’re at it, a good idea would be to surround yourself with the things that will help you stay organized and well-prepared for every scenario. You can start by organizing your room, making sure to keep it clutter-free. Move on to your bag and throw out anything you don’t need that inexplicably made its way inside over the months. On a grander scale, focus on making a strict schedule involving study time, leisure time, chore time, and self-care time – this will ensure you get to work and play, sans the stress.

Take care of yourself mentally and physically

For many students, the importance of a good grade can quickly overshadow the importance of regular self-care, which is exactly the point when many issues can arise. From mental fatigue and constant exhaustion, to anxiety and even depression, there are numerous dangers that lurk in the shadows of sleepless nights spent studying.

Failing to take care of yourself will lead to bad habits as well, which can directly influence your physical well-being. For example, acne are common among college students, and while they are not a product of stress per se, they are a product of stressful habits such as overindulgence in junk food or a lack of hydration. If you want to treat acne and other common conditions induced by stressful habits, you will need to improve your quality of life.

Start by putting filling a slot in your schedule with a set of self-care activities. If sleep is all you need, then mark gaps in your daily schedule where you can squeeze in a nap. Be sure to stay active on a regular basis – the campus gym is a great place to build up some much needed physical strength. Avoid junk food at all costs and you will have already won half the battle.

Eliminate distractions and hold yourself accountable

It’s a chaotic world we live in, and distractions are the last thing you need creeping into your already busy schedule. The sad truth of social media and entertainment websites is that, unless you are using them to better yourself, they are wasting your time and draining you of energy you desperately need to rise up the academic ladder.

With that in mind, preventing burnout will greatly depend on your ability to minimize distractions throughout the day, in order to fully devote your attention to the task at hand. You can install productivity apps on your smart devices that will prevent you from entering certain websites, to start. Be sure to keep your desk organized and clutter-free as well in order to create a productive learning environment.

Don’t become a loner

Lastly, use every available moment to socialize. Surrounding yourself with friends in a positive environment can do wonders for your self-esteem, and most importantly, your mindset towards college and your future. Never underestimate the power of cheerful company, and how much the positivity and happiness of other can rub off on you – it might be everything you need to keep pushing forward.

In conclusion

There is no denying that college can be stressful and even panic-inducing, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t spend your college days in health and happiness. Follow these tips, and you will have no problem preventing burnout and excelling at school in the process.

Mia Taylor is a fashion and beauty enthusiast from Sydney and writer for http://www.highstylife.com. She loves writing about her life experiences. Travelling and enjoying other cultures and their food with her husband is a big part of her life. She is always on the lookout for new trends in fashion and beauty, and considers herself an expert when it comes to lifestyle tips. Twitter | Facebook