How To Handle a Burnout in Architecture School

Hi! I have a very important aspect of architecture to discuss, which is usually neglected while painting a glamorous picture of design schools. Yes, I am talking about BURNOUT.

Unfortunately or fortunately, I have experienced burnout in my third year and I’m here to share it with you guys! This may seem like a journal entry, I have tried to put my experience into words. 

What was I experiencing during a burnout ?

So here’s the story – 

It started with the feeling of being unmotivated all the time. No matter how hard I tried to do my submissions, I wasn’t able to actually do it. I wasn’t tired or anything but there was this constant feeling of exhaustion physically, even after 8 hours of sleep. Even the deadline or fear of an incomplete submission couldn’t make me do the work. I knew I needed a break but it wasn’t possible in the middle of the semester that too in a very hectic studio. There were submissions scheduled after one another and the guilty good kid in me couldn’t bring herself to call in sick and just take a day off. 

There is this constant need to keep working to avoid the guilt (can you also relate to this toxic feeling). I wasn’t able to take a break mentally because of this feeling which keeps on repeating – “ how can you sleep when there is so much to be done, you will be left behind in the studio. Faculty will think that you are not serious about work, will neglect or taunt me in the future discussions.”

Cherry on top, I wasn’t already doing a good job, no matter how hard I was trying. No idea seemed to be working and nothing was getting approved by my faculty. They asked me to change the design a day before my mid term jury. I was already in panic stage because if you know what big deal is having Prof. Chhaya as a juror, you would not want to show incomplete work. 

Completely lost, I finally asked my faculty what I was doing wrong constantly. He sat me down and explained what he was pointing at all along. This was a very stressful situation and still after all this feedback and hard work I wasn’t able to complete the model. The feedback I got from the jury was that I have gone off track from my idea and should avoid wandering into too much chaos..he basically told me to start from scratch. 

Even after being the only one who got appreciated for their initial design, I was so heavily disappointed in myself. I was so angry that I could not understand what my faculty was telling me to do.  How is it possible to misunderstand faculty so much? What has happened to me? What am I doing wrong? After a week or 2 of dragging myself through work trying to get some validation, which could drag me further till the end of semester, I was hoping. But finally I broke down into tears and I couldn’t work anymore. It even crossed my mind to drop the semester so that I could get rid of this burden. 

But for some reason I was adamant to find a solution and reason for why this is happening to me. I was trying my best to complete my work…I sat myself to work, crying ….forcing myself to work, maybe that will make me feel better or less guilty. Sometimes while working I wasn’t able to breathe or start crying out of nowhere. Then finally, I realized something is definitely not right with me and I am not being lazy, and I have to prioritize myself now otherwise work will not happen. 

I called my TA and faculty and tried to explain my situation very honestly. They were considerate and asked me to take a break and not submit my next submission. Before talking to my faculty, I also tried talking to my college counselor so maybe she can tell me what is wrong and how to deal with this. After talking to her, my conclusion was I NEED TO TAKE BREAK and anyways my productivity and quality as low as it possibly could be. And I will catch up but I need to fix this.

I also talked to my dad, he spent an entire day with me to understand what I was going through and he was very supportive. Spending time and sharing with him made me feel a lot better. By the end of this whole week, I had gotten a break of 3-4 days and I had missed 1 submission. I know that I have to do this, it will take me some time to get back but I am not quitting. Luckily with time and meditation I got back to work slowly and finished the semester with a good grade. 

After this semester I have learnt that life is not gonna get any easier, and I am not getting free time to meditate or do a hobby or to go to the gym. I will have to prioritize my health if I want to work with everything I have. From my experience, I have listed a few ways to recognize and overcome burnout. 

Signs That You Are Burnout? 

1. Lacking motivation in daily tasks and activities you typically enjoy.
2. Constantly Exhausted – both mentally and physically.
3. Even simple tasks feel more effortful to complete.
4. Trouble focusing.
5. Feeling anxious or overwhelmed easily.

How to Overcome Burnout?

1. Seeking help from your support system – Friends and Family
2. Consider reaching out to a counselor or professional for guidance and support.
3. Meditate and be physically active 
4. Journaling – just start writing about your day before going to bed. 

How can you prevent burnout ?

Even when we take a break, we don’t shut off our minds. We are constantly worried about some design problem or submission in the back of our heads. On top of it, When you are away from home, there is no comfort around. And it can be hard to find that comfort in new things and places. So, you have consciously made time to unwind –

1. Shut off your brain by switching to a completely different activity /hobby. 
2. Talk to your friends more often. 
3. Participate in group activities and socialize to switch off the design solving
4. Take time off from your laptop…I had made a rule after this semester that I won’t go to college on Sundays (CEPT remains open on all days in case you ‘re wondering) and no work after 3 o’clock on Sunday. 
5. Journaling –  can help clear your mind and bring a sense of calm, reducing constant thinking.

 

I hope you found this helpful! Have you ever experienced burnout? How do you step away and recharge from design? Share your thoughts in the comments below!