Booked out or burnt out?

"Student," Photo courtesy of The New York Public Library Digital Collections

As the school year wraps up and finals come to an end, talk of travel plans, internship announcements and job searches becomes inescapable. In a culture that obsesses over the hustle and bustle of life, one question quietly lingers for many college students: “What should my summer look like?” 

For some college students, the answer seems simple. Get an internship, earn some money, add to those resumes and, above all else, keep on moving. But for others, the answer is not so simple. They are worried about falling behind in the lazy summer months.

The idea of a “productive summer” has become almost synonymous with constant activity. Doing nothing can feel like falling behind, and rest tends to come with guilt.

“Having the capitalist ‘never stop, keep working, always be productive’ mindset … almost feels like there's no way to escape the pressure of doing something with your life,” freshman broadcast journalism and documentary major Aivree Watkins said.  “But it doesn't always feel like taking care of yourself is really prioritized; sometimes my body or my brain is telling me that I need a break, but pressure is telling me that I need to keep going.”

From an early age, kids are taught that work comes before play — but what happens when there’s never an opportunity to slow down and take a break? Is all of life meant to be a constant game of asking what's next? Check one box. Check another. This hustle culture and the pressure to constantly be productive reflect students’ broader issues, like difficulty prioritizing work-life balance and rest.  

“There are times when I feel like I need a break, but it's harder to take that time for yourself when the job market is so competitive and you want to spend your summer getting ahead, and you don't really want to slow down because there's no incentive to slow down,” freshman film production major Sam Rosenthal said.

This pressure is not just a personal feeling; it reflects a broader pattern affecting students nationwide. Licensed marriage and family therapist Dennis Goldenson said that the culture of constant work and productivity has negatively impacted college students’ mental health. He said that it is unsustainable to always be on.

“By prioritizing constant and relentless productivity over self-care, and healthy lifestyle habits like sleep, nutrition and exercise, students may experience exhaustion, fatigue, guilt and reduced academic and social performance, often treating burnout as a badge of honor,” Goldenson said.

Young people have begun to measure their value not by who they are but by how much they can accomplish. The line between pride and validation becomes blurry. Students internalize the idea that constant productivity is the only path forward, even if it's at the expense of their mental and emotional health. 

“The problem with constantly being in 'go mode' is the chronic stress placed on the body and mind. (It) puts the body in a constant sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight) state, leading to elevated cortisol levels, and can lead to some form of reduced cognitive capacity,” Goldenson said. 

However, the flip side of this is that hustle culture is not inherently a bad thing. Utilizing the summer months to gain experience, build resumes and develop skills can be fulfilling and motivating for some students, and even open doors to future opportunities. 

Staying productive provides a sense of purpose and structure that actually has a de-stressing effect. Many students often feel a sense of accomplishment, for example, having a job to receive income. That goes to show that the pressure to keep moving is not purely negative when utilized to aid the student and cater to their specific needs. 

“It is important to set and establish a flexible pace that feels productive but also allows for guilt-free downtime that helps for rejuvenation,” Goldenson said. “Creating a schedule that is not so rigid can also help with spontaneity. A good approach is to set reasonable, small and manageable goals that are not overwhelming and prioritize a healthy balance with consistent sleep patterns.” 

At a school where the culture is often “work hard, play hard” throughout the school year, everyone needs to prioritize balance. The real challenge may be learning when to pause. Prioritizing a summer filled with intention for each person is one that students won't need a vacation from when school comes around in the fall.