In today’s hyper-connected world, the culture of overcommitment is glorified as a badge of honor. Students are continually encouraged to take on as many AP classes, clubs, sports and extracurricular activities as possible.
While it may look impressive on a resume, this constant hustle is taking a serious toll on our mental health and academic performance.
From the moment the school year begins, many students feel pressured to join every club and sign up for every course they can squeeze into their schedules. The prevailing narrative is that success comes from having a jam-packed calendar. However, this message pushes us to extend ourselves beyond healthy limits.
Rather than a balanced approach that allows time for study, rest and social interaction, overcommitment often leads to burnout and chronic stress.
Instead of fostering passion, it creates a scenario where every activity is a contest to see who can fill their day with the most, leaving little space for genuine growth or self-reflection.
Our schools and communities tend to celebrate those who can juggle multiple responsibilities without showing cracks in their facade.
As a senior, I have witnessed friends and classmates silently struggle over the years to meet the high expectations set by this competitive environment.
Instead of acknowledging the hard work and resilience that comes from pursuing meaningful activities, we often equate business with worthiness.
This conflates achievement with the quantity of activities rather than their quality or impact. When students are praised solely for being busy, they miss the opportunity to choose pursuits that genuinely interest them or that contribute to their well-being.
The problem is compounded by the notion that every minute of our day must be productive, leaving little room left for downtime or hobbies.
Social media further fuels this trend, as carefully curated images and stories depict a flawless and nonstop schedule. These portrayals set unrealistic standards, pressuring us to perpetually overfill our time.
The irony is that while our society applauds overcommitment, we suffer the consequences of increased anxiety, stress and decreased overall satisfaction.
An argument can be made that learning to manage a heavy schedule is part of preparing for the challenges of adulthood. While time management and effective scheduling are undoubtedly useful skills, they should not come at the expense of our wellbeing.
Success should be redefined to include mental wellness, adequate rest and personal fulfillment. Instead of celebrating an exhausting list of activities, educational institutions and communities could focus on teaching students how to prioritize tasks, say “no” when necessary, and find balance.
Moving forward, it is essential for us as students, educators and community leaders to challenge the notion that business equals success. We need to foster environments where balance and selfcare are valued as much as achievements.
Redefining success to encompass overall well-being, rather than an endless list of commitments, would not only lead to healthier students but also to more creative, resilient individuals.
Let’s stop glorifying overcommitment. Instead, let’s celebrate the ability to focus, reflect and embrace a measured approach to finding success.
After all, true success is not measured by the number of tasks checked off a list, but by the quality of our experiences and the strength of our well-being.