by Lauren Tamborino

Every day, at least one person asks me, “How are you?” 

I can either lie and say “I’m good,” or I can tell them how I really feel. The truth is, they will most likely agree with me regardless. 

Usually, in springtime, I would feel overjoyed that the school year is coming to an end. It means that summer is almost here, and we can all be worry free. I felt motivated, ready to overcome whatever was thrown my way. Ever since I began college, I have noticed myself feeling extra “under the weather” whenever this time of the year comes around. 

Blank faces and empty stares replace the smiles and laughter. Conversations are harder to start, and listening has become a difficult exertion in itself. The passions we once had for certain things have slipped away from us. Less and less students attend lectures each week. The athletes that once were in love with their sport are quitting due to mental health and feeling overstimulated. College students that aren’t passionate about something anymore are dropping out. Students who have jobs feel like they cannot balance school and work at the same time and are forced to quit their jobs. Everything is just becoming too much. 

The spark that signifies our passions for whatever it may be is slowly burning out. I have noticed that by the time spring break comes around, students start to feel this pain. It gets harder to get out of bed in the morning, and even harder to fall asleep at night knowing you did not get done what you wanted to do. 

The more there is to do, the more burnt out you will feel. It is important to find a balance with what makes you happy and what you know you have to get done. Never stray away from the things or people in life that make you feel like your true self. By finding a passion for something you love, the fear of burning out too quickly will start to fade.

Cover Photo by Anastasia Luridas