“Pagod na ako, Hindi ko na kaya”: The Reality of Psychology Students | Experiences & Tips
“Pagod na ako, Hindi ko na kaya”: The Reality of Psychology Students | Experiences & Tips
“Pagod na ako, hindi ko na kaya,” is the usual phrase that comes from the mouth of every student who struggles to keep the semester going. Psychology students are known for studying how a person thinks, acts, and behaves. However, despite studying mental health, they are prone not just to physical exhaustion, but also in the psychological, mental, and emotional aspects. Hence, this blog aims to explore the unseen challenges of psychology students, share unfiltered experiences, and offer strategic tips on how to cope.
I. The Heavy Load of Being a Psychology Student
Emotional exhaustion from reading about trauma, mental illness, etc.
It is emotionally exhausting being exposed to stories of trauma, abuse and mental illness daily. Studying these topics, we sometimes feel the emotional heaviness of the cases we read. We find it impossible between the schoolwork and our emotions in particular if the topic is heavy or close to our own life. We are being exposed to that all the time and it may impact our mood, sleep, and mental health.
Internship/practicum stress: dealing with real people, real issues.
We interact with people that are really having a hard time with their mental health. That’s a great responsibility to listen, to support and even guide them when we are also learners. Professionalism, empathy, and calmness are required by each session. We are often scared about making mistakes that might affect someone’s well-being. Practicum is fulfilling, but also one of the most stressful pieces of being a psychology student.
The irony of learning how to help others while struggling ourselves.
We are trained to help others psychologically, but we ourselves forget. We learn self-to-care, coping strategies and mental resilience but we find it difficult to apply them to our own lives. School and practicum stress us out to the end, even if we know the solutions. It is odd to dispense advice which we cannot follow all the time. This irony occurs to us that psychologists are not perfect either.
II. Common Psychological Struggles Among Students
Burnout - As students, we often feel less drive to continue what we have started. The feeling of being incapable keeps haunting us. Thus, we are not able to do the things that we should do. Some students usually spend more time with their phones instead of working on their backlogs. Some are used to procrastinating because they are very overwhelmed.
Imposter Syndrome - Have you ever doubted yourself? Does the thought of being not good enough ever cross your mind? Do you think you are not fit to help other people? Hence, you might develop impostor syndrome. However, what is imposter syndrome?
Compassion Fatigue - Prioritizing the needs of others comes with a consequence. Psychology students are prone to experiencing compassion fatigue as they are building expertise in listening to traumatic stories of other people.
Self-neglect - As we care about other people more than ourselves, we often have the urge to put their mental health first above our own, which will exhaust us even more.
III. Real Experiences
Balancing studies with personal life and family expectations
The heavy nights when we sat in front of our pending activities, staring at them while crying—wondering if this path was really meant for us and questioning whether we could survive, because we felt like we were drowning.
Balancing academics with personal life is very challenging for many students. There were times when we felt drained—juggling deadlines, attending classes, working on our thesis, and meeting family expectations, all just to keep the dreams we set for ourselves alive. There were moments when we felt like crying after classes or attending class with no sleep, knowing that we still had a quiz in a major subject to face. We were exhausted from trying to keep up with the demands of our program.
But amid difficulties, we still found a way to move forward. To every student navigating this path, know that your experiences are valid. It’s okay to feel lost, to question things, and to take a break when needed. Your dreams matter, and so does your well-being.
IV. Tips to Cope and Stay Grounded
- Set emotional boundaries – Care about your studies and others, but don’t carry every burden alone.
- Stay motivated – Keep your goals in mind and remember your “why.”
- Choose the right circle – Surround yourself with friends who uplift and support you.
- Practice real self-care – Don’t just talk about self-care—live it. Apply healthy habits daily.
- Reward yourself – Treat yourself when you feel drained. Rest is part of being productive.
- Talk it out – Reach out to people you trust, like friends, professors, or counselors.
- Journal your thoughts – Writing helps unload mental clutter and organize emotions.
- Accept failure as part of growth – Low scores or setbacks don’t define you—they teach you.
- Celebrate small wins – Acknowledge every step forward, no matter how small.
- Be mentally prepared – Expect challenges in academics and stay resilient with a positive mindset.
V. Why It’s Still Worth It?
Despite the exhaustion, being a psychology student is a journey of impact. Every lesson learned strengthens your empathy, patience, and emotional intelligence—qualities that shape lives beyond the classroom.
The ability to help others understand themselves, to break mental health stigma, and to be part of a movement that fosters healing makes the challenges worth enduring. Even on difficult days, remember: your knowledge and compassion matter.
To everyone who aspires to take a Psychology program:
Acknowledge the difficulty but encourage perseverance.
Reminder: It's okay to say "pagod na ako," but don’t stop there—rest, breathe, and continue.
Being a psychology student comes with inevitable exhaustion—mentally, emotionally, and physically. There will be moments when the pressure, self-doubt, and emotional weight make you question whether you can keep going. But remember, feeling drained doesn’t mean failure—it’s a sign of growth, resilience, and deep empathy.
Saying “Pagod na ako, hindi ko na kaya” is completely valid, but don’t let exhaustion define your journey. Take the time to rest, pause, and remind yourself of the purpose behind your studies. Psychology isn’t just about understanding others—it’s also about recognizing and caring for yourself.
Your challenges don’t make you less capable; they make you more compassionate, more aware, and better prepared to advocate for mental health. You are not alone in this journey. Your dedication matters, and step by step, conversation by conversation, you are making a difference in the way mental health is understood and supported.
Keep moving forward—you’re needed now more than ever.
Written by:
Muñozco, Jerica
Musñgi, Shaira Jane
Natividad, Ashanti Chanelle
Nuñez, Jeanella Sophia
Oliveros, Fatema
Comments
Post a Comment