Burnout among students has become a growing concern in schools nationwide. Heavy workloads, academic competition, high expectations, and extracurriculars are some of the many contributions to student burnout. At Cypress High School, resources are available to help guide students through stressors.
Eric Tenorio, Assistant Principal at Cypress High School shared that a decline in attendance, performance, and motivation can signal burnout. Multiple things can add to or cause student stress, and Tenorio explains that, “some of what’s leading to student stress is the amount of challenging courses students decide to take.” He explained that as a school, they have the ability to “play a role and make an adjustment for students.” Additionally, student goals, aspirations, and competitiveness add onto the collective role school plays on burnout. Tenorio also stresses the importance of seeking help and figuring out warning signs early on. He advises that students speak to peers that have been through it, talk about what it means and what it looks like.
Cypress High School has been working with Lexington Junior High School and many colleges to figure out what they are looking for and what the appropriate balance of courses is. “It’s not just about the grade and the numbers,” Tenorio explained, stressing the importance of well-roundedness. “It’s about what you bring to the table holistically, and a lot of that is balance–that you have a healthy social life, that you have healthy extracurriculars, and also that your academics represent your interests.”
Tenorio deals with burnout and lack of motivation the same way: by noticing the early signs. By collaborating with his team, Tenorio figures out some areas to adjust or pull back from. He said that staff should “make sure that we’re doing what is essential as an administrator, working with teachers to communicate what the expectations are, what is realistic and what is not, and ultimately making sure that we’re listening to our students and doing what’s best for them.”
Patricia Brunet, a teacher at Cypress High School, shares that most students that face burnout are those who take AP and Honors classes. “I feel like they are trying to increase their chances for college or college admittance. I think they overload themselves with too many classes instead of taking things they’re interested in.” Brunet noticed that students start getting sick when burnout hits. She observed that students also start missing assignments when they haven’t had trouble with them before. “You start to see disengagement…an overload,” she said.
Brunet said that the connection between school and student stress is something staff talks about a lot. “These teachers and I think some stress is good, otherwise we’d never get out of bed…so it’s just a matter of determining what the appropriate amount is.” Brunet also explained that the appropriate stress level is different for different people, which is what makes it hard to determine a good balance.
Cypress High School provides free counseling for students. “Nowadays, I think it’s more socially acceptable and valued for what [counseling] can do for people. I think there are a lot of resources,” Brunet commented.
Bristol Lopez, a social worker at Cypress High School, shared her advice on student burnout. “Some [students] may not even realize they’re burned out. It’s hard to define how we go from being really stressed to now crossing the line to being burned out?” She explained that students at Cypress HS tend to have high expectations for themselves, which can lead to higher levels of burnout. Lopez explained that the changes in behavior from student to student can be unique for each person. After thinking, she said, “There comes a point when it’s really hard for them to care anymore.” Lopez noticed that when burnout affects students, it takes a long time for them to get things done, they start losing joy in things that used to bring them joy, they use less coping strategies, and they isolate themselves. “We have reached the end of our rope and now we’re just trying to function at 0% battery…without filling ourselves back up,” Lopez metaphorically compares. “You have to recalibrate, figure out what to do at that point.”
“Number one: you gotta label it,” she said, explaining the importance of figuring out what’s going on in times of stress. She shared that many kids start judging themselves, when, “shame isn’t going to help with the situation…There’s no need to be ashamed of that.” It takes some healing to get out of burnout, and “grace and compassion is what we need.”
“Two: get help,” is what Lopez advised. “It’s really hard to get out of a place of burnout alone…So whether that’s from a parent, friends, a therapist, counselor, social workers, school psychologists, whatever it may be… I would definitely want students to come in and feel comfortable talking about their concerns to somebody.”
Lopez’s motto for this year is, “know my own limitations.” She said, “I know that I can’t do it all, and it’s not always going to get done, and it’s not always all going to be perfect, or the way I want it to be done…I have to be okay with doing the best that I can every day.”
Cypress High School offers resources for the well-being of their students, including free counseling and a wellness room. If you are dealing with burnout, you are not alone. Help is available in the forms of therapy, counseling, a trusted adult, friends, and more.
