“Learn to take a break.”
You will hear this phrase in almost every conversation about burnout from work, school, or even passion projects. However, there isn’t really a formula for how long the break should be.
For some, a few minutes in between work to catch a breath is enough. Others prefer to take a leave or set the entire weekend to truly rest, relax, and reset. But sometimes, these seem to be not enough to efface the feeling of exhaustion and restlessness.
"But sometimes, these seem to be not enough to efface the feeling of exhaustion and restlessness."
In case this is what you feel, maybe a leave of absence is what you need.
Online Schooling is Easy… But Not Really
Strict quarantine protocols brought about by the pandemic changed the way we lived our lives. Most interactions, especially for students, moved online in the form of Zoom calls, chat boxes, and modules waiting to be finished.
Well, work from home doesn’t sound so bad, does it? No more time is wasted stuck in traffic, and meetings are just a few clicks away. Plus, you’re at the comfort of your home, which means more time for work, right?
Unfortunately, the answer is ‘not necessarily.’ In fact, because not everyone has the necessary equipment and space for conducive learning at home, online schooling at home can be more taxing than face-to-face classes. Some also struggle staying connected due to unstable, or the lack of, internet connection.
"Because not everyone has the necessary equipment and space for conducive learning at home, online schooling at home can be more taxing than face-to-face classes."
Face-to-face classes allowed students to physically and mentally compartmentalize their place of work and their place of rest and leisure. However, online classes have merged the two, which some believe is unhealthy.
"Face-to-face classes allowed students to physically and mentally compartmentalize their place of work and their place of rest and leisure."
“In the online setup, I have to be a student, an older sister, a daughter, and an employee all at the same time, and it really gets overwhelming.” These were the sentiments expressed by Christine Grace Guzmani, a BA Communication student from the University of the Philippines Baguio (UPB).
Grace took a leave of absence after the first semester of her 3rd year in college, which was also the first semester of online classes for schools in the Philippines. She cited the difficulty of separating her different roles at home, something I’m sure many of us can relate to.
“The first semester with the online setup really just wasn’t working for me. I didn’t know how to compartmentalize everything, that’s why I had a difficult time when dealing with studies, family, and myself,” Grace explained.
Finally Taking that Break
Filing for a leave of absence is easy to process, but it requires careful consideration and thought. Grace shared some things you may want to consider before taking a leave of absence.
“Definitely, first consider if you are mentally and emotionally prepared for the fact that you will be delayed if you take a leave of absence,” she said, but pointed out that taking a leave of absence for physical health should be a no-brainer.
Next, it is important to figure out what you’ll be doing during your break. Will you look for work, pursue a hobby, or spend time at home with your family? It is best to have at least a sketch of what you intend to do.
According to Grace, “also, consider your options in keeping busy during your leave of absence. For me, my mom told me I had to support myself the whole time I was on my leave of absence, so I had to hunt for some jobs.”
Grace shared that she was also able to work on her physical and mental health aside from finding a job. “I am currently freelancing, working with two clients. I also started going back to the gym and found more time to deal with my mental health as well.”
Mental and physical health can definitely deteriorate when we are too focused on work, and this can lead to an overall bad performance.
Finally, Grace stressed the importance of prioritizing your welfare.
“It all comes down to whether you can still continue or not. Not just continuing and telling yourself you can still go on, even though you really can’t. If you feel like not taking a leave of absence will take a huge toll on your welfare, take it,” she concluded.
Should You Take a Leave of Absence?
Grace’s story is just one of many. It is important to note that not everyone can afford to take a leave of absence. A leave of absence isn't for everyone, whether for financial reasons or the pressure of graduating on time.
"It is important to note that not everyone can afford to take a leave of absence. A leave of absence isn't for everyone, whether for financial reasons or the pressure of graduating on time."
However, if continuing to study will cause your physical or mental health to deteriorate, I believe it is best to take a leave of absence.
Money can always be earned back, but once your mental or physical health worsens, it can be difficult to recover.
Graphics by: Sofia Vinuya
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