Meet Alex, a 21-year-old fourth-year student in the Environmental Studies program at the University of Waterloo. Growing up in a family of engineers, Alex always felt the pressure to excel academically, graduating high school with a remarkable 95% average. However, they also nurtured a passion for design, leading to a part-time job at a local design firm. Despite their heavy workload, Alex made the Dean's Honour List, which left them questioning how some of their peers managed the same feat while balancing rigorous commitments. Now, they often share their insights in online discussions, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of student experiences in academia.