How do I switch off

Ok basically i’m doing too much work k think, I downloaded the YPT app at the beginning of the school year and now I can’t go below 5 hours a day/ 35 hours in a week as I feel like i’m getting behind on work and going to fail
i back out of doing fun stuff so k can work, i plan stuff around my being able to get 5 hours minimum
idk how to stop
i’ve done this before with food, duolingo and embarrassingly snapchat streaks lol
i just don’t know how to switch off with the obsessiveness

Reply 1

BCU Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post

by Anonymous

Hi,

The YPT app can be helpful, but when it becomes more about hitting numbers than actually learning or living, it loses its purpose. A lot of high-achieving people fall into the trap of feeling like they have to earn rest or constantly prove they're not "falling behind." But five hours a day every day isn't sustainable long term, and deep down you know that, otherwise you wouldn’t be reaching out.

The truth is: working more doesn’t always mean achieving more. Rest, fun, and time away from the books aren't distractions. They protect your focus, your creativity, and your mental health. Cutting out things that make you happy in order to keep up an arbitrary number just builds burnout, not resilience.

If you're ready to try easing up a bit, start small. For example: challenge yourself to take one evening off completely this week and see what actually happens (spoiler: nothing will fall apart). Or set a maximum daily study cap rather than a minimum, and focus on quality over quantity, if you got solid work done in 2.5 hours, maybe that’s all you needed that day.
And if this pattern is something you feel genuinely stuck in and you’ve seen it across different areas of your life, it might be worth talking to someone (a teacher, counsellor, or even your GP), not because something’s “wrong” with you, but because learning to switch off and let go is a skill, and support helps.

Hope this helps,
Danish
BCU Student Rep