As engineering students, we often take pride in overworking ourselves, running on energy drinks, surviving on four hours of sleep, and shutting ourselves away all weekend to \u201clock in.\u201d It\u2019s almost a badge of honor, scoffing at wellness initiatives because, really, who has time for that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier this semester, a close friend, a straight-A student, came to my office hours. Between tears, she admitted how overwhelmed she felt. The stress of endless assignments and exams made her chest tighten; she could barely sleep or eat. She asked if I ever felt that way. Truthfully, I said no. I\u2019d always prided myself on maintaining balance between school, work, and my well-being. I helped her make an action plan: go home, rest, spend time with family, and forget homework for a while. Health before deadlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It worked. She returned recharged! I felt proud to have helped not just as a friend, but as a well-being leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few weeks later, on my birthday, we planned to work together on an assignment and celebrate after. I had spent the weekend before celebrating early so I could focus on midterms during the week. But that Monday, as we sat down to work, I couldn\u2019t focus. My inbox was full, club events needed planning, and exams loomed ahead. For the first time, the balance I prided myself on began to crumble. My chest felt tight. I asked if we could take a walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we walked by the river, I broke down. On my birthday, of all days. I cried about everything I hadn\u2019t done, all the expectations I felt I was failing to meet. But my friend didn\u2019t let me spiral. She spoke gently, filling the silence with reassurance, and reminded me that it was okay to fall apart. That moment redefined how I viewed wellness. I had spent so long trying to be perfect, hitting deadlines, responding to every message, staying constantly \u201con.\u201d I didn\u2019t realize how much I\u2019d trained my body to live in panic mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That day, I learned something simple but life-changing: it\u2019s okay to disappoint others if it means taking care of yourself. Deadlines can wait. Emails can go unanswered. The world won\u2019t end if you rest. We get so uncomfortable choosing ourselves because we equate rest with failure, but in truth, choosing yourself is strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We never ended up going out that night. Instead, I went home, did a face mask, and watched my favorite show. My friend told me she\u2019d handle the rest of the assignment. It was the most unexpectedly peaceful birthday I\u2019ve ever had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being a well-being leader doesn\u2019t mean you always have it together. It means recognizing when you don\u2019t, and giving yourself permission to rest. True wellness isn\u2019t just about balance, it\u2019s about compassion, for others, and for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So lean on the people who care about you, just as they lean on you. When things get heavy, choose your well-being first, because you can\u2019t pour into others if you\u2019re running on empty.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By: Fatin Rahman, Francis College of Engineering Well-Being Leader As engineering students, we often take pride in overworking ourselves, running on energy drinks, surviving on four hours of sleep, and shutting ourselves away all weekend to \u201clock in.\u201d It\u2019s almost … Continue reading