I Got the Degree. I Lost Myself.

I used to think the hardest part would be getting in. I spent years grinding for grades, skipping sleep, saying no to friends, just to see that acceptance email. But nobody tells you what happens after. Every semester, I felt less like a person and more like a checklist. I’d stare at my laptop, heart pounding, trying to convince myself that another all-nighter was normal. When I finally walked across that stage, diploma in hand, I felt nothing. No pride, no relief—just empty. Now, I look at my degree and wonder if it was worth the parts of myself I left behind. #AcademicBurnout #CollegeReality #NotJustGrades #Education