From Kitchen Stress to Mental Fatigue—Here’s How To Recharge, Stay Motivated, and Keep Moving Forward
Author Anna Fain is a Baking and Pastry Arts major.
By the time mid-semester arrives, CIA students start to feel the pressure. Long hours in kitchens and bakeshops, academic homework building up, and the physical demand of this profession can leave even the most passionate students feeling burnt out. So, if you’re hitting a slump, you’re not alone. The good news is, there are multiple ways to reset and feel like yourself again.
Start out by giving yourself credit. In culinary school, progress is measured through correction. It’s a hard concept to grasp, but you must fail in order to learn and succeed. Even when it feels like you’re consistently falling short in the kitchen, remind yourself that every failed dish is only building your skill set. Next, think back to why you chose this path—it’s important to remind yourself of why you’re here. Revisiting your original inspiration can help ground you when the workload feels overwhelming. Remember to give yourself some grace—you are here for a reason and purpose, reconnect with it!
Don’t underestimate the power of the CIA community. Your friends, instructors, classmates, and mentors are going through or have already gone through exactly what you are. You aren’t alone, lean on them! Don’t forget to ask questions, make connections, and support one another. Sometimes a quick conversation can make all the difference. Finally, celebrate your growth, no matter how small it is. Every practical exam, critique, and completed class is shaping you into a stronger professional for the food and hospitality industry. You won’t feel the progress right away, but it is happening. Stay consistent and trust the process.
Chef Jesse B. Jackson III ’13 explains it best.
“You’re midway through the semester and wondering ‘I don’t know if I can make it the rest of the way.’ That’s a common thought, even myself as an instructor here, I think that too. It’s very easy to hit the halfway point and start to plateau. The key I like to use is a reflection of the recent past. Take five–ten minutes to close your eyes and think about everything that has happened before this point. Think of the good and not so good memories. You wouldn’t be where you are now if you gave up earlier, so why give up now? Think of how much you’ve grown in such a short time and how much more you will grow! Your mindset and mentality can push you through when you feel you are running out of gas. Just like a car, it needs gas to move forward, but it also needs a charged battery. Getting out in the sun, going for a walk, even people watching from the dining hall and catching up with old friends are great ways to recharge your internal batteries so you can get to the finish line. When you cross the finish line, turn and look back at the journey you just accomplished. What an amazing feeling!”
His message highlights an important reminder: reflection and small moments of recharge can help students push through challenging seasons of life and recognize how far they have come. You’ve already made it this far; you have the tools and strength to keep going. Stay focused, stay patient, and trust that the effort you put in will pay off in the future!
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