Let’s be real: The further you get in high school, the more it feels like a never-ending to-do list: tests, homework, studying, jobs, sports, clubs, social lives (if you even have time for that…). It’s no wonder students are starting to let grades slip and stop showing up to school. Burnout isn’t just a word for us students; it’s become a reality.
Burnout is more than just a little mental fog or just being tired and it is often mistaken for laziness.
Burnout is a lack of motivation. It’s Sunday night, checking Schoology and seeing what feels like a million new assignments to complete this week, waking up every morning exhausted and feeling as though no matter how hard you work, you are always behind.
Students who feel this burnout aren’t lazy; they’re just exhausted and overwhelmed. We are expected to be full-time, high-achieving students, good children and siblings, emotionally available friends, determined athletes, and be involved with our school community all while navigating life during a time of social change.
The pressure to be perfect is crushing. Straight A’s, AP classes, sports, extracurriculars—it all adds up. For students who also have jobs or responsibilities at home, the stress multiplies.
So how do we fix this? It’s not “get more rest” or “take a break”. What we need is a cultural change in how schools, teachers, and even other students talk about success, productivity, and mental health.
Schools can help by rethinking homework loads, encouraging time management rather than pure hustle, and being flexible when students are struggling. For our students? We need to start being kinder to ourselves and each other. Normalize saying, “I need a break.” Talk about how you’re really doing. Take care of your body—sleep matters more than an all-nighter or an A+ on an assignment.
Burnout shouldn’t be the price we pay for anything. If we want to build a future full of passionate, capable young people, we have to start by making sure they aren’t burnt out before they can even graduate.
