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Anticipating major burnout before even experiencing it can be concerning.

In the last few weeks, I have started an important year in my studies. But simultaneously, I have been working so many hours and there doesn't seem an end in sight (even though there is). I have been overwhelmed by family problems, financial stresses and extra-curricular, that I have already anticipated that I will be completely and entirely burnt out by the end of the semester.

Could this be a self-fulfilling prophecy?

self-fulfilling prophecy: the process through which an originally false expectation leads to its own confirmation. Britannica

Sure, I have experienced bad burnout before, due to my studies, but is it concerning to assume that I will not be able to handle juggling all the commitments until I know I can't?

Potentially. It could be the case that I know my limits and what I am capable of, and I need to learn when to do less. I've suffered in the past by overloading, and it made me feel worse about what I could achieve since I had less time to dedicate to my studies. Maybe I am acknowledging to myself that this year is going to be too difficult to handle?

However, instead of assuming the worst and resorting to dramatic measures (like dropping out by the census date!), I'm going to instead use this impending sign of burnout as a reminder to slow down. I know that things will get done, but only if I give my body the rest and relaxation that it needs.

Instead of feeling that this anticipation will make my mid-year breakdown inevitable, I'm going to channel it into a self-awareness that I need to manage my time well, and take breaks. Perhaps the burnout is not pre-determined. Perhaps this prophecy does not need to be fulfilled!