Aliana Thompson | Staff Illustrator

While studying abroad in Florence, the Italians have taught me several things: it’s perfectly fine to drink a glass of wine at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, racial consciousness is for the birds, and transgender people don’t exist. They also “taught” me that we Americans put too much value in working. As they love to say, “Italians work to live. Americans live to work.”

I’ve tried refuting their sentiment, but I can’t. Since I came to WashU, I’ve noticed how we allow overachievement and leadership positions to dictate our lives. The expectation to do everything and be everywhere at the same time is an inescapable part of WashU’s culture. It is time for us students to stop spreading ourselves so thin.

It makes sense that WashU is overrun with overachievers. As of 2024, WashU’s admission rate has dropped down to 12%, meaning that you’re more likely to get prostate cancer than to get into WashU. This selectivity is meant to pick the best of the best of the application pool. Instead, it creates a culture based on overqualification. It’s not uncommon to hear about the seven different extracurricular activities that WashU students are involved in — along with their job, mandatory research hours, volunteer work, and thesis project.

There comes a time when we must question the meaning behind all that we’re involved in. It’s impossible to be in every place at once. You won’t be able to follow through on everything, and consequently, you will let people down. Worst of all, you won’t be able to find time for yourself when you need it most. 

There’s an obvious personal effect to spreading yourself too thin. Life will happen: you may have a falling out with friends or a bad breakup — or at least an ending that doesn’t give you much closure. There may be a death in the family. You may just have days where you can’t bring yourself out of bed. No matter the hardship, you might be left disillusioned. And, in the case that you are, over-engaging in schoolwork and extracurriculars won’t leave you with the time to heal, grow, and adequately care for yourself.

Along with emphasizing the stupidity of American hustle culture, Italians stress the value of youth. They understand that one only has so many years without life’s obligations. Every night after dinner, the hosts of my homestay ask me if I’m going to the club or to a bar with friends. They’re surprised whenever I say no: “Ma sei giovane!” 

In our youth — as Italian culture has shown me — we should have the time to get gelato at noon, juggle several flings at once, and stumble home from the club at 4 a.m. We should have the time to explore St. Louis and express ourselves and simply do what makes us content. There is beauty in living in the present, and it is difficult to be completely present when you have what feels like a thousand different responsibilities.

Don’t write that thesis if you don’t have to. Don’t take on a second job if your finances are stable enough. Don’t take on that third leadership position when two of them make you want to gouge your eyes out. It’s valid to build up that resume, but that should never come at the expense of your well-being.