The feelings of emotional exhaustion, reduced accomplishment and self-efficacy, high levels of stress, depersonalization, and social withdrawal are some of the feared, yet commonly associated symptoms of burn-out. Burn-out is experienced by an abundance of students in podiatry school; it is commonly described as a state of mental, emotional and physical exhaustion associated with the academic pressure, heavy workloads, lack of work-life balance, high expectations, limited control over schedules, exposure to emotionally challenging situations, chronic stress and overwhelming demands placed on medical students. The goal of this article is to provide insight and tips for podiatry students to prevent this state of fatigue and feeling run-down. Preventing burn-out should begin early on in a student doctor’s journey.

My first semester of podiatry school, I had not yet realized the importance of avoiding burn-out, or how being burnt-out would negatively impact me as a student. Every time I would practice self-care, I felt an enormous amount of guilt for not studying and fear that this would get in the way of achieving my best grades. I was exhausted, overworked, and feeling pretty unhappy. The following semester, I began to prioritize my physical well-being, managing stress, exercising, practicing effective time management, and nurturing mental and emotional health. This provided me with a better mindset and more motivation to participate in my studies. I achieved better grades, felt empowered, and even became more inclined to get involved at school. After reflecting on the stark differences between my first two semesters, I understood that self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity that empowers individuals to perform at their best academically.

There are many more self-care strategies that can contribute to preventing burn-out in podiatry school. Some of the best advice I received was to participate in shadowing. Shadowing a clinician allows students to connect with their initial desire to pursue the field and remember why they started this journey in the first place. This experience exposes students to the future they will have, while providing them with the necessary exposure and education in the field. Volunteering in the field can have similar effects as well. Podiatry students can do much more non-podiatry related activities to prevent tiring themselves out. Students can take time to strengthen their personal relationships, spend time with people who make them truly happy, participate in their favorite hobbies, watch a tv show, and the list goes on. Your own happiness is extremely valuable and your mindset will reflect on your future patients and their recovery!

Aside from self-care, many podiatry schools and institutions are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of burn-out on students' well-being and academic performance. This is done in hopes to implement support systems and resources to avoid and/or treat this academic exhaustion. If a student is experiencing symptoms of burn-out in medical school, it is crucial to seek support and explore the resources offered by their institution. Currently, all podiatry schools provide their students with counseling services, faculty advisors, and mentors who can provide guidance, resources, and help their students develop strategies to manage stress and prevent burn-out. Taking care of your well-being throughout your medical education is essential for your personal growth, academic success, and long-term career satisfaction.

In the pursuit of academic success, prioritizing self-care is fundamental, but usually overlooked. By focusing on and nurturing one’s mental and emotional health, students can feel empowered, energized to achieve better grades, and obtain more success. Once podiatry students begin to recognize the strong correlation between self-care and academic success, students can foster a balanced life along their journey in podiatry school. In summation, let us embrace self-care as an essential investment in our academic journey and professional development. Working hard is crucial, but not at the expense of your own sanity.