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I recall one time during a break in our class when a particular classmate suddenly burst into tears. She's known for being optimistic, amiable, and cheerful. We were dazed in our seats as who would have thought that the person who always says "I'm okay" just seemed so fragile and emotionally exhausted that time?
No one saw it coming. Not even the person who sits beside her. She just gave in to whatever she was holding back. And that's when I realized that someone can truly be both happy and outwardly expressive yet emotionally drained on the inside. It can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. When it happens, it just bursts.
This piece is not about feeling pity for my classmate. It's about unmasking common phrases students use to hide their emotional burnout, what they really mean, and why they matter more than most people realize.
We can't pretend forever that everything's fine. And now, more than ever, is the ideal time to discuss it.
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1. "I'm good, it's nothing."
It's the phrase we often say, yet, at the same time, the one we really don't mean most of the time. We hear students saying it with a flat tone or a smile without others knowing it's just forced.
It could be internal stress or probably fear of judgment. And it could also be burnout or anxiety slowly taking a toll on one's mental health.
No one exactly knew it, but here's one thing: whenever you feel it, don't be afraid to speak up to someone you can trust.
Anyway, saying it genuinely acknowledges other's concern about you.
2. "Yeah, it makes sense."
You probably affirmed what someone said in a discussion, but in reality, you weren't fully listening. You pick up on the last part and try to sound engaged even when you're not. You do it to avoid sounding rude or uninterested which is good, yet it doesn't fully conceal your emotional burnout.
It's vague, agreeable, and almost never questioned.
3. "Yes, I'll figure it out later."
Spoiler: most students usually won't.
This is just another procrastination in disguise, trying to sound interested even when you're not. Personally, I've seen students saying it only to be followed up sometime after. Sometimes, it is no longer laziness. There's more we can understand when the mind is just fully occupied with bothering things, and the best thing we can do is to understand the situation.
No one knows if you might experience it as well, but as a concerned classmate, it's one way of showing compassion. We all have bad days sometimes and let's just meet halfway.
4. "No worries, I'm just tired."
Ever been asked by a classmate about how you doing? You exhibit less energy than you used to, and they're checking out.
We get it; this is one of the most common and most frequently made statements by students, and yes, we're tired, but not simply because of lack of sleep. We're exhausted from social pressure, academic stress, constant multitasking, lack of real rest, or simply "I'm at my limit."
Maybe, you just need some peace to process everything happening around you. But sometimes, when you say a simple phrase like "I'm okay" or "I'm just tired," you're not really fine. However, you're just trying to keep it together, so your classmates don’t worry, and so it looks like you're still present, even when you’re not, emotionally.
5. "I'm thinking about it."
Hiding emotional detachment from something as a student is not too hard to notice. And using this phrase does not mask it either. However, to understand things, we often say certain things to conceal what we genuinely feel.
This phrase is one of those we often use when we're expected to contribute to a discussion but don't have the time or energy we need. It buys silence and delays follow-ups while still taking part.
It's a polite way to say we have no idea what to say at the moment and people usually won't pressure you further.
You may also want to read: Which of these Reveals the Most About a Person?
A Message to Fellow Students
If you’ve said any of these 5 subtle phrases, it does not mean you are weak. You’re human, and it's normal.
We all cope in different ways, and sometimes pretending to care is how we survive a hell-week or mind-boggling semester. But please know that no one, not even me, can fake it forever.
You can talk to someone you trust or just journal it out and let yourself rest without guilt or thoughts bothering your mind.
Also, know that acknowledging you're not okay but still letting your classmates know you care is an act of honesty. And that's a strength to be proud of.