Burnout is a common problem for both students and instructors. The APA Dictionary of Psychology defines burnout as physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion accompanied by decreased motivation, lowered performance, and negative attitudes toward oneself and others. It results from performing at a high level, leading to stress and tension, especially from extreme and prolonged physical or mental exertion or an overburdening workload. It doesn’t show up overnight; it instead builds slowly over the course of the semester or the whole school year. It is important for both students and instructors to recognize the signs of burnout and have strategies ready to address it.  

Academic Burnout in Students 

Burnout is a common problem among college students, with over half of them reporting experiencing burnout. Burnout among students doesn’t just affect their week; it can affect their whole semester and beyond, linking strongly to higher dropout rates. Red flags linked to burnout to look for in your students include a notable lack of sleep, loss of motivation, and increased irritability.  

Responsibility for preventing burnout is shared amongst students and instructors. As instructors, you can help students avoid burnout by: 

• Breaking larger assignments into smaller steps (scaffolding assignments)
• Providing detailed rubrics in Canvas so expectations are clear to students
• Allowing flexibility in your deadlines and class structure when possible
• Removing unnecessary stressors from course workload (avoiding busy work)

As instructors, you can also encourage students to take action to prevent burnout. Instructors should encourage students to take accountability for their learning and wellness. Student strategies to avoid burnout include time management, a proper diet, and a healthy work-life balance. Remind students that they have lives outside your course; tell them to take a break from working or studying and enjoy something they love. Encourage your students to connect with each other during class. Research shows that strong support systems among students can prevent burnout.

Burnout among Instructors 

In 2025, 62% of instructors report high levels of job-related stress, while just 33% of other working adults in other professions. Additionally, 21% of instructors reported struggle to cope with work-related stress compared to only 9% of adults working in other professions. Instructors should aim to avoid burnout by: 

• Decreasing overall workload, preparing teaching materials ahead of time, and streamlining student communication 
• Reducing extra duties as possible 
• Addressing challenging student behavior early by reaching out via email or Canvas 
• Setting realistic expectations for instructor availability and sharing this availability with students in a prominent location (like a Canvas home page) 
• Increasing autonomy for students in their assignments by allowing them to select topics or modalities 
• Creating connections with other faculty members 
• Intentionally unplugging after the school day ends  

Small daily habits during a long semester can go a long way in preventing burnout among instructors. These can be things like staying physically healthy, having “me time,” and setting professional goals.  

Resources on Avoiding Burnout 

• 15 Ways to Prevent Teacher Burnout [+ FAQs] – University of San Diego – Professional & Continuing Education 
• Teacher Burnout: What It Is, Key Statistics, Symptoms, and Prevention Strategies | Discovery Education 
• Student Burnout Prevention Strategies: Balancing Rigor and Support | Campus Mind