I'm a 20 year old full-time college student (18-hour schedule) and I also work 20 hours per week on campus (20 hours is considered full-time when working on campus). I am always exhausted. I barely sleep as it is, then with balancing classes, clubs/leadership, work, meeting with 30 of my English 102 students a few times each during the semester, labs (chemistry major...tons of labs), and homework, I'm quite drained to say the least. I've felt burnt out SO many times, especially last school year where it seemed like everything that could happen did happen. Thankfully, I absolutely love my two jobs and my bosses. I also love my major and professors, and I also have a full-ride, so I don't want to compromise my scholarships and academics. Whenever I feel like I can't do it, I just have to remind myself that there are so many people who depend on me, whether or not I'm feeling well. If my students don't meet with me, they lose points on their paper. If I don't call people in admissions, we lose prospective students. If I don't show up to lab, my lab group of 3 suffers. If I don't show up to class, my grade suffers. So yes, I barely get any sleep and I know my health is suffering since I'm putting my schoolwork and work ahead of it (not the smartest decision, but I'd break down crying all the time if didn't do that), but I also have so many people depending on me, including myself. I also make the decision not to let my friends and classmates know that I have RSD. If I have something happen where they notice I'm limping or something, I just say nerve damage, the weather, arthritis, etc. (not technically lying haha). The only people who really know are one of my professors who is basically like my mentor, my boss for one of my jobs because she knew I was on crutches for a long time before and just asked one day, and my roommate to a certain extent. I have Friday afternoons/evenings as well as Saturdays off from all classes and work, so I dedicate those days to resting and some cleaning that fell to the side during the week.

In regard to the feeling alone part, it's kind of hard sometimes, especially since I don't have a ton of "true" friends on campus. Sure, I have friends, but not like any who I will maintain regular contact with after I graduate. I am outgoing, but I am also introverted, so I enjoy quiet & alone time. I am very close to my family, so I make sure to call my dad and talk with him every day. I also talk to my brother whenever I have the chance. Me and my stepmom email/text at night because she has a lot of medical issues and is always up at night as well. That helps a ton in knowing that at least I have a family member who is there at night to lean on when needed. The most I can say is to just call and talk on a regular basis, even if you don't talk about RSD or whatnot. Sometimes that simple act of just catching up can be helpful. I also don't know if you're naturally extroverted or introverted, so that can also play a role in this section.