ACADEMIC BURNOUT AND HOW TO DEAL WITH IT

Sometimes I’ll get a 95 out of 100 on a test, and instead of feeling proud, I think to myself “Why didn’t I get a 100?” Even though I’m aware that 95 is a great score, it never feels good enough. And I know I’m not alone. So many students I know feel the same way. We’re stuck in this cycle where even our best efforts don’t feel like enough, constantly trying to meet invisible standards we didn’t set ourselves.

Whether it’s comparisons to others or just the fear of falling behind, a lot of us teens carry the belief that our worth is tied to how we perform academically. Over time, this mindset doesn’t just steal our joy, it drains us completely. That’s what burnout looks like. And most of the time, we don’t even realize it’s happening.

For many students, academic success isn’t just a goal, it’s a responsibility. From a young age, we’re taught that doing well in school is the only path to a better life. Whether it’s becoming a doctor, an engineer, or getting into a respected university, there’s often this silent pressure to make our families proud by being the “perfect” student. Even when we do well, we often don’t feel happy, just relieved.

If you feel numb even when you get a good grade, that might be burnout, not laziness. According to a 2024 study in BMC Psychology, nearly 40% of high school students show signs of academic burnout, including emotional exhaustion and loss of motivation.

So, if you’ve been feeling unmotivated or like nothing you do is ever enough, you are not alone! Burnout is not failure. It’s your mind and body’s way of asking for care. Taking a break or asking for help doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human!

Your worth isn’t measured by your grades or what college you get into. You are more than your academic achievements, and your mental health matters. So be kind to yourself and remember that doing your best shouldn’t mean burning yourself out.

-By Shreesha Mukherjee
Shreesha Mukherjee is a 11th Grade student at Jericho High School.