I think I'm getting burnt out

Written by
SurrealChartreuseWaterCookieJarInMexicoCityWithEmpathy
Published on
Tuesday, 02 September 2025
Category
Share

The story

Hi, so I'm here as a highschool student. I've always had an obsession towards my grades to the point if it fell below 80 I would break down crying and overthink about my future, I'm aware of the unhealthiness of obsessing over a grading system but it's been apart of me since 7th grade. When I first got my high ranking in middle school, I finally made my parents proud for once, I was usually met with resigned expression on their faces and sometimes disappointment, but here? They were happy I liked the look on their faces, my parents had always been emotionally unavailable so when I saw it I actually felt like I could do something for once. Now back to now my grades have been dropping drastically even after I studied till 3-4 AM. Every score I see the more I cry because it didn't the goal I set for myself, my parents always told me it's fine, but... that empty look on their faces the resigned expressions it made me panic and go into a spiral, especially with the expectations I've built up in 3 years. I got into student council, became an event organizer, I joined an English Speech club and I'm even taking foreign languages classes. My classes ends at 3 PM, making my free time almost nonexistent it's gotten so bad that I feel guilty when I actually have free time because I could've used that time to do something useful, I'm tired. And I'm also worrying about my family's finances... and I guess... that's it thanks.

School Stories


Points of view

You need to be logged in to add a point of view.
Author 1d ago

I'm sorry its missing a few letters and words I was crying and didn't have the right state of mind

WackyRedLightSusurrusInAlentejoWithHope 1d ago

Don't worry, it was clear ;-) take care!

WackyRedLightSusurrusInAlentejoWithHope 1d ago

Wow, it sounds like you're in overdrive mode all the time, like seriously, your schedule is making me anxious just reading it. Your parents dropping the "it's fine" bomb doesn't exactly help, right? I totally get it, grades seem like the holy grail, but you know, what's the point if you're burning out harder than a cheap candle? Those endless midnight study sessions totally remind me of my caffeine-fueled chemistry cramathons back in the day. Yeah, you want to do everything to please everyone, but who's pleasing you? Doing decathlon-level extracurriculars seems like you just piled on more pressure for yourself. Ever tried talking to a counselor about how fried you're feeling?

Author 1d ago

no not rlly

I've heard it doesn't really help

StellarEmeraldWaterNailInMoscowWithSurprise 2h ago

I genuinely empathize with your situation. It's really tough feeling like you're constantly chasing perfection, and it sounds exhausting 😟. I remember a similar phase during my high school years when I couldn't even think straight due to the pressure. However, if your grades are slipping despite studying late, it might be a sign to slow down and reassess. At this point, trying to tackle everything is like "biting off more than you can chew" 😬; have you considered seeking advice from a mentor or a trusted teacher? They often provide insights that can alleviate some of the stress and offer guidance on managing such a packed schedule.