As we reach the first long break of the semester, all I have to say is, we need this break. I can’t explain how burnt out not only my peers are feeling but also my professors. With this new time change, everything feels a little heavier. Waking up for my classes, going to work, and doing homework feels like a huge weight on my shoulders. Let’s not even get started on the seasonal depression that comes right along this point of the semester.
I’ve explained to my friends and family how waiting for the weekend no longer feels like waiting for a break. The weekends start to feel like normal weekdays because whatever I wasn’t able to finish during the weekdays gets pushed into the weekend. If we are honest with ourselves, the weekend is only Friday and Saturday because Sundays are just prep days for the upcoming week.
I always hear people say, “Well have you tried planning your weeks?”, “Take a mental health day,” “Take stuff off your plate,” or “Do a self care activity.” I am going to be honest with you, it infuriates me when people give these responses when someone says they’re feeling exhausted and burnt out. Don’t you think I have already tried all of those? Wow, thank you captain obvious. That does not equal or reciprocate the feeling of break that we all beg for.
The break we are asking for is enough time to catch up and finish our work plus extra time to actually rest. Time where we can sit there and not worry about the next assignment, the next test, or the next 30-page reading. Just a time where we can lay in bed and not feel selfish for doing nothing.
We just need a break. That’s all we need.