Students eagerly enter Ateneo with the promise of a stellar academic system and rich extracurriculars. Dreaming of a full-fledged college experience, freshmen rush to sign up for various organizations. However, despite their initial excitement, many soon find it difficult to juggle both academics and org work.
With the University’s concept of magis—that is, doing more than what is expected—Ateneans can mistakenly equate doing their best with pushing themselves to their limit. The adjustment to college life is all the more difficult under this illusion. Yet, the ideal university experience can come without burnout once students focus on where their priorities truly lie.
Keeping the fire
Burnout refers to physical or mental exhaustion due to being overworked. Given the misinterpretation of magis, as well as the eagerness to strive towards so-called excellence, several students fall victim to this condition—sometimes without even knowing it.
“There can be physical signs [of burnout] such as weight loss, and other signs such as irritability, general lack of motivation, erratic emotional patterns, and feelings of helplessness, among many others,” Office of Student Activities Formator Aeron Syliongtay (BS PSY ’18) explains.
Former Ateneo Student Leaders Assembly Program Director Janus Maclang (AB-MA POS ’19/’20) shares a similar definition. “Burnout is a kind of exhaustion in which you feel like you’ve lost all passion and love for things that once sparked joy,” they say.
To avoid this, students must learn to say no—a feat sometimes more difficult to accomplish than any task. Sanggunian President for A.Y. 2018-2019 Hya Bendaña (AB MEC ’19) admits to this. “Burnout usually starts with over-delivery or overcommitment,” she says.
Commitment-wise, however, quality trumps quantity. Maclang has learned that letting go of certain involvements at certain times makes for better results.
“There are some quizzes I may not have performed my best in, but it meant I was able to spend more time making my org project more formative,” they recall. “I may have needed to disappear for a bit in my orgs to better refocus on my academics, but I’ve always had the community I found in my orgs to cover for and support me.”
Freshmen can navigate these waters by remembering that they can choose to refuse. The trade-off of learning not just how, but when to say no can actually lead to excelling more in daily tasks.
Powering through
Choosing which passions to pursue involves assessing one’s self. For freshmen to discover what they truly love, Syliongtay advises them to ask about a variety of organizations. This way, students can get an idea of what they might enjoy.
Even so, balancing academics and org work can be tricky. A 50-50 split may seem to be the key. However, one must face the fact that both sides of the equation may never be truly equal.
“There [really] isn’t a formula for balancing it,” Bendaña admits. “If academic achievements make you feel better, then go ahead and chase that kwatro QPI and laude. Either works. There is no single path to excellence.”
More than attempting to balance both aspects, students must make sure to tip the scales in their favor. “It’s [not just] about balance, but rather, synthesis,” Syliongtay explains, emphasizing that academics and extracurriculars are interdependent. “Both give life to one another and both are essential to being a better human being.”
Taking care
Ateneo recognizes that in trying to achieve this delicate synthesis, some students may still experience more stress than others. As such, the Loyola Schools Office of Guidance & Counseling (LSOGC) offers a variety of services, such as counseling sessions and playtime with therapy dogs. These options advise on making the right decisions or provide relief from stress.
Students don’t have to look too far for comfort, though. Alongside professional help, talking about one’s problems with friends or family may help lighten the heart. Advice from older students who have had their fair share of college experiences may also put the mind at ease. As Syliongtay puts it, “Everyone has their own unique story that comes with its own blessings and hurdles. Never be afraid to ask for help; you will not survive Ateneo alone.”
Aside from communicating with others, Maclang recommends looking inward. “If you’re starting to feel the exhaustion, take time to pause, reflect, and appreciate the little joys that can console you,” they share.
A key element to dealing with the fast-paced university life is finding a healthy balance. Physical and mental health should always come first. Students should not feel the need to completely exhaust themselves over academics and organizational work, as per the misconceived notion of magis. It is only when students discover the right amount of work that the highs and lows of college life can truly be celebrated.
Editors' Note: An earlier version of this article cited the year of Aeron Syliongtay's graduation as 2018. This has since been corrected to 2017. We apologize for the oversight.