That Crushing Weight: When “Hirap Na Hirap Na Ako” Takes Over Your Studies (And How to Lift It)
We’ve all been there. That moment when the textbooks blur together, the deadlines feel like physical weights on your chest, and the sheer effort of just trying becomes overwhelming. In Filipino, there’s a phrase that captures this feeling perfectly: “Hirap na hirap na ako.” It translates to “I’m really struggling terribly,” or “I’m having an extremely hard time,” but the emotional weight goes deeper. It’s exhaustion, frustration, and a sense of being utterly defeated, often whispered in moments of near-desperation. If this resonates with you right now, especially in your academic journey, please know this: you are not alone, and this feeling doesn’t have to be the end of your story.
Recognizing the “Hirap Na Hirap” Moments in Learning
This feeling rarely comes out of nowhere. It builds, brick by heavy brick:
1. The Mounting Pressure: Exams piling up, complex assignments demanding hours of focused attention, group project dynamics, the constant comparison (real or imagined) to peers, the pressure to meet expectations (your own, your family’s, society’s). It’s a pressure cooker environment.
2. The Endless Cycle: Feeling like you’re running on a treadmill set to maximum speed. Study, eat, sleep (maybe), repeat. There’s no visible finish line, just more work. The monotony itself becomes draining.
3. The Invisible Struggle: Maybe it’s a concept you just can’t grasp, no matter how many times you reread it. Maybe it’s personal issues bleeding into your focus – family worries, financial stress, relationship strains, or underlying anxiety. These struggles often feel isolating, like everyone else has it figured out except you.
4. Perfectionism’s Bite: Setting impossibly high standards is a surefire path to “hirap na hirap.” Every minor mistake feels catastrophic. The fear of failure becomes paralyzing, making starting work feel harder than the work itself.
5. Physical and Mental Drain: It’s not just mental. Chronic academic stress manifests physically: constant fatigue, headaches, trouble sleeping, changes in appetite, getting sick more often. Your body is waving a red flag.
Why Does It Feel So Overwhelming?
Beyond the immediate triggers, “hirap na hirap na ako” often signals something fundamental is off-kilter:
Loss of Control: Feeling like you’re reacting to demands rather than actively managing your workload or learning process.
Lack of Meaning: When studying feels like rote memorization without connection to your goals or interests, motivation evaporates.
Diminished Self-Belief: Constant struggle chips away at confidence. You start doubting your abilities, wondering if you’re “cut out for this,” feeding a vicious cycle of anxiety and avoidance.
Neglected Needs: Sacrificing sleep, exercise, social connection, and hobbies for the sake of studying is unsustainable. Humans aren’t designed to function solely as study machines.
Strategies to Lift the Weight: Moving From “Hirap Na Hirap” to “Kaya Ko To”
Acknowledging the feeling is the crucial first step. Ignoring it only makes it heavier. Here’s how to start chipping away at that crushing weight:
1. PAUSE and BREATHE (Seriously): When panic strikes, stop. Put the book down. Close your eyes. Take 5 slow, deep breaths – inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 6. This simple act interrupts the stress response flooding your body. Do it multiple times a day.
2. Break the Monolith: Looking at a mountain of work is paralyzing. Grab a piece of paper or a digital note. List everything weighing on you – assignments, readings, worries. Then, chunk it down. Break a huge assignment into tiny, actionable steps: “Research Topic X,” “Write Intro Paragraph,” “Find 3 sources.” Focus only on the very next small step. Completing micro-tasks builds momentum.
3. Rethink Your Schedule (Be Realistic): Are you trying to cram 12 hours of work into an 8-hour day? Audit your time. Use a planner. Schedule dedicated study blocks but also non-negotiable breaks, meals, movement (even a 15-minute walk), and sleep. Protect your rest time fiercely – your brain consolidates learning during sleep!
4. Seek Understanding, Not Just Memorization: If a concept is breaking you, change tactics. Don’t just reread passively. Try:
Explaining it out loud to yourself (or a rubber duck!) in simple terms.
Drawing a diagram or mind map.
Finding a different resource: YouTube video, Khan Academy, a different textbook chapter.
Asking for help: Email your professor, visit office hours, ask a classmate, join a study group. Seeking clarification is strength, not weakness.
5. Challenge the Inner Critic: When “I can’t do this” or “I’m so stupid” loops in your head, consciously challenge it. Ask: “Is this really true?” “What evidence do I have that I can’t?” “What would I tell a friend feeling this way?” Replace harsh criticism with kinder, more realistic self-talk: “This is tough right now, but I can figure it out step by step.”
6. Reconnect with Your “Why”: In the fog of struggle, it’s easy to lose sight of your purpose. Take a moment to journal or reflect: Why did you choose this path? What are your long-term goals? How does this difficult class or assignment fit into that bigger picture? Reconnecting with intrinsic motivation can reignite a spark.
7. Prioritize Your Well-being (Non-Negotiable):
Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours. It’s foundational for learning and emotional regulation.
Move: Exercise is a potent stress reliever. A brisk walk, dancing, yoga – anything that gets you moving.
Eat Well: Fuel your brain with balanced meals and snacks. Avoid excessive caffeine and sugar crashes.
Connect: Talk to someone you trust – a friend, family member, counselor. Don’t isolate. Sharing the burden lightens it.
Do Something Unrelated: Engage in a hobby, even briefly. It gives your brain a necessary reset.
8. Practice Self-Compassion: This might be the most important step. Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a struggling friend. Acknowledge that feeling “hirap na hirap” is a normal human response to difficulty. Say to yourself: “This is really hard right now. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. I’m doing the best I can.” Forgive yourself for perceived shortcomings or slower progress.
When to Seek More Support
Sometimes, the feeling is too deep, too persistent, or intertwined with other mental health challenges like anxiety or depression. If the “hirap na hirap” state is constant, significantly impacting your daily functioning (sleep, eating, basic tasks), or leading to hopeless thoughts, reach out for professional help.
Your school’s counseling center is a vital resource.
Talk to your doctor.
Access mental health hotlines or online therapy platforms.
There is zero shame in needing more support. It’s a sign of self-awareness and courage.
The Light Beyond the Struggle
Feeling “hirap na hirap na ako” in your studies is an intense, often isolating experience. But within that phrase also lies a powerful truth: you are aware of the struggle, and that awareness is the first step towards change. These moments, as crushing as they feel, are not permanent. They are signals – your mind and body telling you something needs adjusting.
By implementing small, consistent strategies focused on breaking down tasks, managing your environment, prioritizing well-being, practicing self-compassion, and seeking help when needed, you can lift that weight. You can move from feeling utterly defeated to discovering a resilient “kaya ko to” – I can handle this. Remember, academic success isn’t just about pushing through relentless hardship; it’s about learning to navigate the challenges with awareness, strategy, and kindness towards yourself. The struggle is real, but so is your capacity to overcome it. Take that first small step today.
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