BURNOUT: THE COLLAPSE OF OVERACHIEVEMENT
Pushing one's limit to achieve academic success has been a trend among students, only to find themselves facing a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion—but what drives this collapse, and how can it be prevented?
Burn-out often results from prolonged stress and an unsustainable workload. Students, for instance, may juggle academics, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs. Over time, this relentless effort takes a toll, leaving individuals feeling drained, detached, and disillusioned.
Burnout literally obliterates one's well-being. Mentally—it manifests as chronic fatigue, decreased motivation, and a sense of inefficacy; physically—it can lead to headaches, insomnia, and a weakened immune system; and academically, burn-out often results in poor performance, missed deadlines, and a decline in their creativity.
Burnouts vary across individuals. High-achieving students, for example, often face immense pressure to maintain top grades, leading to overworking to meet everyone's expectation. This is different to some individuals who have lower achievements—they often get tired of people's words, comparing them with academic achievers.
Addressing burnout requires both individual and systemic changes. On a personal level, setting boundaries, practicing self-care, and seeking support are essential—at the same time, oganizations and institutions must also prioritize well-being by fostering a healthy work culture and providing resources for stress management. As Jabeen Begum (2024) suggests, addressing burn-out is not just about individual resilience, but also about creating environments that promote sustainability and balance.