Priyanka C.
If you’re reading this, taking time for yourself will not set you back,
In college, it feels like everything gets measured by momentum: the classes you’re taking, the internships you’re chasing, the number of things you can balance while still somehow staying social. When you’re used to performing at a high level, slowing down can feel terrifying. Sometimes, it isn’t even your own decision.
This semester, I had to take time off after I began experiencing seizures that doctors are still trying to figure out. I moved off campus and withdrew from my classes, and it honestly felt like my life got derailed. I’m someone who has always pushed myself to do a lot and do it well, so suddenly having to stop was a complete nightmare. I worried about timelines, graduation, losing friends through this process, and literally anything else I could worry about.
But, over time, my perspective began to shift. I’m learning that time spent taking care of yourself is never wasted time. And to be clear, I’m not some enlightened person who figured this out overnight; it’s something I still have to remind myself every day. When something in your life makes you need to step back, whether it’s your health, mental well-being, family circumstances, or simply burnout, it cannot erase everything you’ve worked toward. If anything, it protects it. The return on investing in yourself now is almost always greater than trying to push through when you’re not okay.
The truth is that life will rarely follow the neat timeline many of us imagine for it. College can feel like there’s one correct path with one correct pace, but there really isn’t. People switch routes, switch majors, switch universities, and still end up exactly where they are meant to be. Your goals don’t disappear because you paused for a moment; they’re still there waiting for when you feel ready to come back to them.
And something else worth remembering: the people who truly care about you will support you through it. Real friends will never measure your worth by how many outings you show up to or how perfectly your plans are unfolding. They’ll be the ones checking in and sitting with you, even when life looks different from what you expected. They understand personal challenges can change you and how you navigate the world, and they support you as you take the time you need to focus inward and care for yourself. Even if that support feels sparse, learning to give yourself that same understanding matters as much, if not more importantly.
So, if you’re reading this while feeling like stepping back might ruin everything you’ve been working toward, it won’t. Taking care of yourself, in whatever way it may look like, is one of the most responsible, important, and truly brave decisions you can make. Your timeline may shift, but your future doesn’t disappear because you chose your well-being.
Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is pause, take care of yourself, and trust that the rest will still be there when you’re ready.
Priyanka C.., Arizona State University
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