Is corporate burnout just an extension of the school board rat race?

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​Hi everyone,

​I’m a 22F about to start my first IT corporate job. Even before my first day, I’m already feeling a sense of burnout that feels hauntingly familiar to what I experienced during my 12th-grade board exams.

​I’ve realized that the corporate ladder feels remarkably similar to our education system—it's all about chasing "good grades," constantly trying to outperform peers, and the relentless pressure to be the "highest achiever" in the room.

​It leaves me wondering: Why are we so obsessed with comparison in India? Why does it feel like we can't just have a good life without constantly competing?

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​Has anyone else felt this transition? How do you cope with the pressure to constantly perform?