When starting college, as is reasonable, most students initially only seek to pursue academic development that will guide them to their degree and a secure and promising future and career. Having a mindset focused on academic excellence going into college is beneficial to success, but having such tunnel vision on educational goals that one disregards other priorities is an all too common problem that often leads to personal and academic burnout. Amidst all the classes, the study time, and the tests, it is essential that students keep in mind that being intellectually well goes well beyond academic success exclusively. Experiencing college in a truly enriching way requires students to also focus on their personal development amid their academic careers.
Intellectual wellness creates and nurtures an interconnected and strong relationship with one’s mind. As previously stated, academic endeavors are important to intellectual wellness, but they are only one aspect of many that contribute to it. Some other actions or characteristics that could be beneficial to cultivating one’s intellectual wellness are consciously looking for opportunities to learn about new topics and expanding your learning beyond an academic setting.
When students allow the influence of that original drive to focus solely on academics to take over in the name of competing with other students, getting higher grades, impressing educators, etc., it can distract them from pursuing other outlets that can help them achieve overall intellectual wellness. That lack of pursuing intellectual wellness in ways that leave you fulfilled on all fronts (not just academic) and encourage overall personal growth for the sake of focusing on academic pursuits can only diminish the joy of undergoing education and lead to a limited viewpoint in terms of learning and an overwhelming development of stress. This expansion of the level of stress that a student is experiencing, at its highest point, is called burnout.
Students must implement strategies to help them find a healthy equilibrium between their educational pursuits and intellectual wellness. Finding these strategies can help students reduce stress by balancing academic and personal tasks, increase focus by refreshing the mind through mental wellness activities, improve mental health by taking breaks that reduce anxiety and depression, grow creativity by stimulating the mind in well-rounded ways, manage time better by scheduling activities that fulfill them, cultivate stronger relationships by making time for loved ones, and improve academic performance by decreasing stress and increasing focus.
One strategy to help students avoid burnout is entertaining special interests and electives they may be interested in. Students can take up a hobby out of something that interests them. In taking on this hobby, students will be able to relieve stress through doing something fun for them and cultivate a love for learning by perfecting their skills in this hobby that they enjoy. Even if students don’t want to cultivate a hobby from that chosen subject outside of an educational environment, many institutions offer elective courses that focus on topics outside of the majors offered. Pursuing these electives can introduce students to different ideas about interesting topics that cultivate a genuine curiosity and love for learning within them. This consideration for interdisciplinary topics can also help students become more well-rounded overall.
Another strategy that may help students avoid burnout is cultivating a community of people around them who enjoy learning as much as they do. Having an intellectual and engaging conversation with one’s friends can be a very enriching experience. Creating study groups, game nights with questions about interesting topics, or just making an effort to talk about different subjects that interest the whole group could help students destress through time with friends but also help create an environment that encourages learning at all times through sharing different perspectives.
In conclusion, no matter the steps that students take to reach the goal, it is important that they prioritize obtaining intellectual wellness. While being academically adept is important, it shouldn’t come at the cost of a student’s mental health. Maintaining a balance between one’s academic and personal growth can have a plethora of benefits. Students can cultivate a balanced and healthy relationship between intellectual wellness and academics by taking the time to implement skills like prioritizing self-care, taking time off of social media, getting a mentor, and staying curious about all topics they may encounter. The college experience isn’t just about acquiring knowledge; it’s a transformative journey that molds individuals into well-rounded people prepared to confront future obstacles.
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