Boreout

Boreout is understood as a combination of prolonged underachievement, boredom, disinterest, and perceived meaninglessness. This can happen not only on the job, but also during studies.
In the short video from W wie Wissen, you get a first impression of what boreout is and what the consequences of it can be

The BAuA's (Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) 2018 survey of the employed, in which more than 20,000 employed people were interviewed, found that 5% feel underchallenged by the amount of work and 13% by the professional knowledge and skills in their job. This makes boreout a relevant burden in our society.

We asked boreout coach Stefan Duwensee, who can also be seen in the video, what students can specifically do against boreout in their studies. We would like to share his tips with you:

1. get the topic on the agenda and draw attention to it: Boreout is still an unknown term for many. The more people know that boreout exists and that it can be accompanied by psychological and physical impairments, the more acceptance for this topic will increase.

2. Talk, talk, talk. If you feel affected, talk to your friends about it. Tell them about your dissatisfaction and get rid of the frustration. Seek professional support and discuss the topic with the university's psychological counseling center, for example. Strategies for solving the problem can be developed.

3. set a vision. Think about what you are doing your studies for. What is your goal? Is it worth going through boring lean periods to achieve it? Try to work towards your goal in order to give your work more meaning.  

4. Write a list of pros and cons. Write down everything that speaks for and against your studies. Stefan Duwensee gave us the tip that it is good to get all the negative things off your chest first. Then take a few days to think about the positive aspects of your studies.

5. do not rush! No matter how bored and annoyed you are right now - you have time! You don't have to decide right away which steps to take or whether you should change your studies or training. Take your time and think about your situation and possible solutions. Times in your studies when you feel bored or disinterested are not immediately signs of a boreout. However, if it is a long-lasting condition, it makes sense to reflect on your situation and to become aware of what you want.

Many thanks again to Stefan Duwensee for the super nice and informative phone call!