How to find your "why" during academic overload?

May—caught between downtime and exam season.

How do you find your "why" among academic overload?

May is often one of the most paradoxical months of the academic year. On one hand, we enjoy more sunshine and longer days; there is a growing urge to get out of the house, rest, slow down, and reconnect with nature after the winter. On the other hand, we face upcoming tests, projects, course requirements, and the looming specter of the exam period.

Many people experience a conflict—a clash of interests and needs—and thoughts such as:

• "I want to rest, but I can't."
• "I should focus, but I find it hard to sit still and concentrate on the material."
• "How do others manage to cope while I feel so exhausted?"
• "The more I try to motivate myself, the more I feel repelled by studying."

This doesn't necessarily mean you are lazy or have lost your ambition. It is often a natural bodily reaction to prolonged overload, stress, and the pressure to maintain constant efficiency and productivity.

Perhaps this is the moment to view learning and personal growth not just through the lens of results, but also in terms of meaning, balance, and mental well-being. We write and speak about this often throughout the year. Today, let’s look at these issues through the prism of the Japanese concept of *Ikigai*.

What is *Ikigai*?

*Ikigai* is a Japanese concept referring to a sense of meaning, purpose, and inner motivation in everyday life. The word itself derives from two Japanese terms:

*iki* — "to live,"

*gai* — "value," "reason," or "something worthwhile."

Simply put, *Ikigai* can be interpreted as "what makes us want to get up in the morning."

The concept originates in Japanese culture and is particularly strongly associated with Okinawa—a region known for its high number of centenarians. Traditionally, *Ikigai* does not mean focusing solely on a professional career or the pursuit of great worldly success. It can be linked to work, but also to relationships, daily rituals, helping others, developing skills, a sense of belonging, and finding peace and balance.

In Western culture, *Ikigai* is often depicted as a map connecting:

• what we love,
• our strengths—what we are good at,
• what the world needs,
• what provides us with an income.

In Japan, however, the approach is understood much more broadly. Greater emphasis is placed on daily engagement, the meaning found in small actions, and building a life aligned with one's values—rather than focusing exclusively on achievements.

In academic life, however, one can lose sight of this daily engagement in activities we find meaningful, overwhelmed by the pressure of grades, demanding deadlines, and comparisons with others. At a certain point, learning begins to feel like nothing more than an obligation and a source of stress, rather than an opportunity for growth or a way to satisfy curiosity.

Why is May often such a difficult month?

Spring affects not only the weather but also our mental and physical well-being. Our bodies often:

• need more movement and physical recovery,
• tolerate prolonged sitting poorly,
• react more intensely to cognitive overload,
• crave social contact and rest.

At the same time, this is precisely when students and academics operate under increasing time pressure. A conflict thus arises between the biological need for a breather and the demand for intense concentration. The more we ignore the need for rest, the more frequently the following appear:

• procrastination,
• difficulty concentrating,
• irritability,
• guilt,
• emotional exhaustion,
• a drop in motivation.

Paradoxically, then, rest is not always an "escape from responsibilities." Sometimes, it becomes a prerequisite for regaining effectiveness.

A student’s Ikigai—how to find meaning in learning?

In an academic context, Ikigai does not mean that every subject must be exciting. Rather, it involves attempting to answer questions such as:

• Why am I actually studying?
• What do I want to understand or be able to do as a result?
• What values ​​drive my effort?
• What matters to me beyond just the grade?

For some, it might be developing professional skills. For others, it could be the opportunity to help people, financial independence, curiosity about the world, or building a future aligned with their own values. However, when studying becomes merely about "passing courses," motivation often relies solely on stress—and stress is effective only in the short term.

How can you try to incorporate elements of Ikigai into student life?

• Connecting learning with personal meaning

Instead of asking only: "How much material is left to cover?" It is worth pausing every now and then to consider:

• "Why was this path important to me?"
• "What do I want to be able to do in a few years?"
• "What skills am I already developing or acquiring?"

Even a small sense of purpose helps boost perseverance and mental resilience.

• Planning rest without guilt

Rest and recovery should not be a reward "for perfect productivity." They are an integral part of effective learning. A short walk, time in nature, physical activity, a conversation with loved ones, or getting enough sleep:

• improve concentration,
• support memory,
• reduce nervous system tension.

In spring, the body signals a particularly strong need for balance between exertion and rest.

• Letting go of perfectionism

Many people impose a standard on themselves: "I have to do everything perfectly, or it’s not worth doing at all." Yet, effective learning or meaningful work often relies on:

• consistency,
• doing things "well enough,"
• accepting mistakes,
• harmonious progress.

Perfectionism might boost results temporarily, but in the long run, it increases the risk of burnout and chronic stress.

• Building micro-motivation

Ikigai doesn't have to be a grand, life-altering discovery. Sometimes, incorporating it into your life is aided by: 

• choosing a favorite place to study or work,
• studying with friends,
• a sense of agency (experiencing that you are making your own decisions),
• celebrating small steps forward,
• being aware of your own growth.

Small sources of meaning represent a more mature approach than constantly motivating yourself through fear.

Ikigai at university—the potential role of university lecturer and the academic environment

The concept of Ikigai can also serve as inspiration for those who teach classes and shape the academic environment. What can lecturers do?

•  Demonstrate the purpose of the material

Students engage more readily in learning when they know:

• what the knowledge is for,
• what its practical application looks like,
• why the topic is important.

A sense of purpose boosts engagement more than the pressure of grades alone.

• Foster autonomy rather than relying solely on control

An excessive focus on errors and grades can heighten anxiety and avoidance behaviors.Helpful approaches include:

• clear expectations,
• predictability and stability on the part of the instructor,
• opportunities to ask questions,
• constructive feedback,
• valuing effort, not just the final result.

• Normalize fatigue and overwhelm

Students often assume: "If I’m struggling, it means I’m weak." Yet, difficulty concentrating at the end of the semester is very common and does not indicate a lack of potential. Highlighting the prevalence of this issue does not mean lowering standards—but it plays a crucial role in reducing feelings of alienation and shame.

• Create a culture of balance

The academic environment can foster: growth, curiosity, collaboration, rest, mental health, rather than just constant competition and the resulting overwhelm.

A few questions for the end of May

During periods of intense study or work, it is worth pausing for a moment to ask yourself:

• What gives me a sense of purpose?
• What has been overwhelming me the most lately?
• What kind of rest do I really need?
• What am I trying to prove to myself?
• How can I take care of myself without giving up on my goals?

Being free from demands and effort is not a core of the Ikigai concept of life. Our lives often revolve around finding harmony between responsibilities, values, personal growth, and daily well-being. Sometimes, it is also important to accept that we need both focus and challenge and the May sunshine.