News Pick
Understanding the Mental Cost of Long Professional Degrees
Years of study, delayed milestones and constant pressure, what extended academic journeys demand beyond textbooks
In a world that celebrates quick success and early milestones, long professional degrees often exist in quiet contrast. Fields such as medicine, law and research demand years of sustained effort, delayed gratification and emotional endurance. While these paths are respected, the mental cost they carry is less frequently discussed.
Unlike shorter academic routes, long professional degrees extend well into what many consider the most formative years of adulthood. While peers begin careers, earn financial independence and explore personal milestones, students in these fields remain deeply embedded in academic cycles. This difference can create a subtle but persistent sense of being “left behind,” even when individuals are progressing exactly as their chosen field requires.
The academic intensity itself is only one part of the challenge. Frequent assessments, vast syllabi and high expectations create a continuous cycle of preparation and evaluation. Breaks are limited, and the boundary between study time and personal time often blurs. Over time, this can lead to mental fatigue, where rest does not always feel sufficient and pressure becomes constant rather than episodic.
There is also an emotional dimension that is harder to quantify. Watching friends move ahead in their careers, settle into stable routines or achieve financial independence can trigger comparison. Even when students are committed to their path, these comparisons can create moments of doubt. The question is rarely about whether the choice was right, but about how long the journey will take.
A medical graduate and alumnus of Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg, Vansh Chouhan reflects on this aspect candidly. Speaking about his experience, he says, “You have to give away your crucial life years. This is about eight to ten years of journey after your school life.” He also points to the contrast with peers in other fields, adding, “All my friends graduated by 2021 or 2022. By 2024, I completed my first degree.”
Yet, the mental cost is not solely negative. These long journeys also build qualities that shorter paths may not demand to the same extent—patience, discipline and the ability to function under sustained pressure. Students learn to prioritise long-term goals over immediate rewards, a skill that becomes invaluable in both professional and personal life.
