Why August Feels Like an Emotional Crash At The End Of Summer Break By Shehzeen Shafi

I don’t know about you, but August always feels strange to me. It's like one minute I’m enjoying summer, sleeping in, hanging out with friends,and then all of a sudden, everything just feels... heavy. It's not exactly sadness or fear, but it's definitely not joy either. If you’ve ever felt this weird or a little low in August, you’re not alone and I want to talk about it because not enough people do, since many think it’s either unimportant or just a normal thing that passes.

For most teens, summer feels like a well-deserved break from school—no homework, no alarms, no rushing to meet deadlines or finish assignments. It’s a time to relax and just be ourselves. But I’ve realized that even though summer seems enjoyable, we often try to pack in as much as possible because we know this break won’t come again for a whole year. We try to finish reading that series of books we love or spend time on hobbies we don’t have time for during the school year. All of this, along with managing social plans and activities, can actually become exhausting. We stay up late, trying to make the most of every moment before school starts again. But underneath all that fun, we might be ignoring how we really feel. At least, that’s what happened to me.

Last year, the “August crash” really hit me after a busy July filled with non-stop plans and hanging out with friends. At the time, I thought I was just having the best summer ever, but I didn’t realize how exhausted I was getting. I was so focused on staying busy and making memories that I didn’t pause to notice how exhausted I felt inside. Then, as the excitement started to fade and the end of August approached, all those hidden feelings I had pushed aside came rushing back. It wasn’t really sadness, instead it felt more like a deep mental and emotional tiredness. I kept asking myself why I was feeling drained when I’d just spent weeks doing so many fun things, but I realized I hadn’t given myself a moment to truly rest.

This feeling even grew stronger with the back-to-school pressure hanging over me. Even if you don’t hate school, the idea of new classes, tests, extracurriculars, and responsibilities can feel overwhelming. August puts you right between two worlds—the summer you’re leaving behind and the busy school year ahead that you’re not quite ready for. I’ve felt this tug-of-war myself :on one hand,I felt like wanting to hold on to the freedom and relaxation of summer, but on the other, I started feeling the stress of what’s coming next. On top of that, the uncertainty of what this new school year might bring such as new teachers, new expectations, and the pressure to perform well adds even more to the stress. This mix of excitement and anxiety can make August feel like an emotional rollercoaster to me.

But over time, I’ve learned that it’s okay to feel this way. Instead of feeling guilty or frustrated about being overwhelmed, I began to accept that this emotional crash is a normal part of transitioning from summer to school. With that acceptance, I started trying some ways to cope that made a real difference for me:

• Give yourself permission to rest and slow down without feeling guilty. Taking breaks is necessary for mental health.

  
  

• Write down thoughts and feelings to better understand and process emotions instead of ignoring them.

  
  

• Make a chill “back-to-school” to-do list.

  
  

• Make a "good things" list from summer. Even if August feels heavy and exhausted, remember the small fun moments can help shift your mindset and make you feel good.

  
  

• Write a letter to your “future self.” Talk about how you’re feeling now and what you hope the school year brings. You don’t even have to read it again—just writing it helps.

  
  

• Gradually return to routines by rebuilding your habits such as fixing sleep schedules, setting small goals, and organizing your space to feel more in control.

  
  

• Go for walks or just get outside because even a short walk or sitting in a park helps clear your head and makes everything feel less tense.

So, if August feels like an emotional crash for you too, know that you’re not alone. It’s okay to feel this way, and it’s important to take care of yourself during this time. By following these strategies and being kind with yourself, you’ll gradually find your balance again and feel ready to take on the new school year with confidence just like I did.