By Staff Writer: Trinidad Carrasco
At some point during the semester, almost every college student feels it: the mental fog, the lack of energy and the assignments that suddenly feel heavier than usual. The easy explanation is to call it laziness. But burnout and laziness are not the same thing. Laziness implies not trying. Burnout often comes from trying too hard for too long without enough rest. When students mistake exhaustion for laziness, they blame themselves instead of recognizing they may simply be overwhelmed.
Between classes, work shifts, family responsibilities and constant deadlines, students are often running on empty. I know this because I have felt it too. Even when we’re physically present, our minds can feel drained. It becomes harder to focus, harder to stay motivated and harder to keep up the same pace we started with at the beginning of the semester.
The pressure to always be productive makes rest feel undeserved. Scrolling on your phone or taking a night off can come with guilt, as if slowing down means falling behind. In reality, recovery is part of growth.
Recognizing burnout doesn’t mean giving up. It means understanding that energy is not unlimited. Don’t forget you’re human. You need breaks. You need time with friends. Sometimes pushing through nonstop can hurt more than stepping back, taking a breath and reminding yourself that everything will be alright.