I’m a serial procrastinator. I’ve lain awake at night, sleepless, not from the lack of exhaustion but because I felt guilty for trying to rest after not being as productive as I felt I should have been.
Every time I go on my phone, I’m flooded with notifications: assignments, quizzes, deadlines, reminders, announcements and emails. It feels endless. There is an unspoken belief that the more overwhelmed you are, the more academic you are. Drawing in work has become a badge of honor. Students who sacrifice their sleep in favor of all-nighters and cram sessions are praised for their “dedication” rather than questioned about the cost to their well-being. But this should not be normalized.
Burnout can look like anxiety, constant fatigue, procrastination or the feeling that you’re falling further and further behind, no matter how hard you try. There’s nothing I enjoy more than having no work by the end of the day; no more Canvas assignments due, no more chores to finish up, nothing.
Yet ironically, my biggest opponent is myself. I silence every morning alarm I set with the intention of being more productive. Like a vampire, I don’t feel alive unless the sun is down. But then the night comes, and suddenly I’m exhausted before I’ve even begun to do anything. This year, instead of continuing the cycle, I’m trying to take responsibility and change my habits.
Burnout is a common phenomenon, especially among students. We’re constantly balancing multiple classes, jobs, internships, clubs and personal goals, all while facing the horrors of adulting and growing up. On top of that, we have families, relationships, finances and expectations from others and ourselves. When everything is being thrown at you constantly, burnout feels inevitable.
In 2026, I’m focusing on being effective rather than just busy. Being busy all the time doesn’t mean you’re being productive. It often means you’re overwhelmed. Research on learning and preventing burnout emphasizes the value of studying in frequent, small sessions rather than a few long, tiring ones.
Instead of spending hours staring at all my work, I want to make my time matter. That means going into each study session with a clear plan and focus instead of having to face off with a laundry list of things that instantly stress me out. Being intentional with how I spend my energy helps me avoid wasting it.
I’m also choosing consistency and practice over perfection. Waiting for the perfect time or ideal environment has always been one of my favorite excuses to procrastinate. I’m learning that imperfect progress is still progress. Doing something is better than doing nothing while waiting for ideal conditions that may never come. Leaving work for the last minute is a trap and this year I am making a conscious effort to avoid it.
Rest is not optional. You’re human, not a machine. Taking regular breaks, getting enough sleep, and engaging in hobbies and self-care aren’t rewards for being productive; they’re requirements to stabilize energy and keep you productive. Learning to rest without feeling guilty has been freeing. There is nothing better than watching a movie, drawing or playing a game after finishing my tasks for the day. That kind of rest restores me instead of pushing me closer to burnout.
You also don’t earn breaks; you need breaks. Resting guilt-free, whether that’s sleep, creative hobbies or enrichment that exists purely for your enjoyment, has reshaped how I define productivity. Rest is not the opposite of work; it’s a part of it.
Even now, I still struggle with anxiety over the future. I worry about whether artificial intelligence will possibly take my job or whether I am suited for the path I want to pursue. I also struggle with what I call the “curse of week six or seven,” which is the point in the quarter when everything seems to collapse at once and my sense of balance crumbles.
This year, I’m learning not to lose myself along the way. Achievements such as good grades do matter, but not at the cost of my sanity or well-being. Success has no meaning if I’m miserable and unhappy. Being realistic, patient and kind to myself is how I keep going.
If we want to succeed, we need to stop glorifying stress and start treating rest and relaxation as a necessity rather than a reward.
