The Black Death: A Nightmare in History

Good morning, everyone.

Today, I want to talk about one of the most terrifying events in human history: the Black Death. Imagine a disease so powerful and so cruel that it wiped out nearly half of the people in Europe. This wasn’t just a common illness—it was a living nightmare.

The Black Death arrived in Europe around 1347. It was carried by fleas that lived on rats. As these infected rats traveled aboard ships from one place to another, the disease spread like wildfire.

But what made the Black Death so terrifying? It was the way people died.

First, it started suddenly. A healthy person might feel fine in the morning, but by afternoon, they’d start feeling unwell. They’d develop a high fever, feel extremely fatigued, and experience pain all over their body.

Then, the real horror began. Large, painful lumps would appear on their bodies—under their arms, on their necks. These lumps, called "buboes," were as big as apples and turned dark purple or black. They were excruciatingly painful.

As the disease progressed, black spots would appear on the skin. These spots were caused by bleeding beneath the skin—this is why it came to be known as the "Black" Death.

The final days were a living hell. Victims would cough up blood and endure excruciating pain. There was no medicine to ease their suffering. Doctors couldn’t even grasp the nature of the disease. Within just three to five days, most people succumbed—experiencing a remarkably swift and agonizing end.

In many cities, there were too many bodies to bury. The streets were awash in the stench of death. It felt like the end of the world.

The Black Death reminds us of nature's power and the fragility of human life. It was a dark period when death was everywhere, and hope was hard to come by.

Thank you.

The Black Death: A Historical Nightmare

Good morning, everyone.

 

Today, I’d like to discuss one of the most terrifying events in human history: the Black Death. Imagine a disease so powerful, so merciless, that it claimed the lives of nearly half of Europe’s population. This wasn’t an ordinary illness—it was a nightmare unlike any other.

The Black Death arrived in Europe around 1347. It was spread by fleas that lived on rats. As these infected rodents traveled aboard ships to various ports, the disease quickly spread like wildfire.

But why was the Black Death so terrifying? The answer lies in the way people died.

First of all, its onset is remarkably sudden. A healthy person might feel perfectly fine in the morning, but by afternoon, they’ll start experiencing discomfort—fever, extreme fatigue, and body aches all over.

Then, the real horror began. Painful, swollen lumps would appear on their bodies—under the arms, around the neck… These swellings, known as "lymph node tumors," could grow as large as apples and gradually turn a deep purple or even black, causing excruciating pain.

As the condition worsens, dark spots appear on the skin. These spots are caused by bleeding under the skin, which is precisely why it’s known as the "black" plague.

The final days felt like a living hell. Patients would cough up blood, enduring excruciating pain that was almost unbearable. At the time, no medications could offer them relief, and doctors couldn’t even begin to understand this mysterious illness. Most people would succumb within just three to five days—a swift, agonizing end beyond measure.

Many cities are piled high with corpses, and the streets are filled with the scent of death—like the very end of the world has arrived.

The Black Death made us realize the sheer power of nature and the fragility of life. It was a darkest era, where death lurked everywhere and hope seemed utterly elusive.

Thank you.

Teacher representative

Teacher Representative

Good morning, everyone!

Today, I want to talk about something invisible yet incredibly powerful in our lives—it’s called mental drain. Unlike physical fatigue, which we can feel in our bodies, mental drain is like a silent battle raging inside our minds. It doesn’t leave visible marks on our skin, but it steadily saps our energy, dims our motivation, and sometimes even makes us question ourselves.

I will share my speech in four parts.

Part 1: Understanding Mental Drain – We’ll begin by clarifying what mental drain truly is and why it matters.

First, what is mental drain? Simply put, it’s the constant inner conflict that arises when our thoughts, feelings, and actions aren’t in harmony. For instance, you may want to rest, but feel guilty for not working. Or perhaps you’re eager to say something, yet you keep worrying about how others might judge you. In the end, you end up wasting more energy on hesitation than on taking action.

Typical signs of mental exhaustion include:

Overthinking every little decision.

Constantly comparing yourself to others.

Feeling tired even without doing much.

Regretting the past and worrying about the future.

If you want to test yourself, here's a simple checklist:

Do you often replay conversations in your mind and wonder what you should have said?

Do you spend hours planning but hesitate to get started?

Do you feel anxious even after finishing a task because you’re not sure it’s good enough?

If you say "yes" to most of these, you may be trapped in mental exhaustion.

Part 2: Tracing the Roots – Then we’ll delve into the origins of this problem and identify its underlying causes.

Now, let’s ask: why do we get stuck in this endless cycle?

One major reason is perfectionism. Many of us strive to do things perfectly, but life itself isn’t perfect. This gap between reality and our imagination often leaves us feeling disappointed and frustrated.

Another reason is high sensitivity. Sensitive people care deeply about how others perceive them. A small criticism can easily turn into hours of self-blame.

The third reason is overthinking. Instead of focusing on what we can control, we keep analyzing every possible scenario. As a result, we waste time in thought but gain nothing in action.

Finally, there’s the fear of failure. Many students would rather not start than risk doing poorly. But the truth is, avoiding action only makes us weaker, while taking a chance gives us the opportunity to grow.

So we can see, mental drain isn’t just laziness—it’s a result of deep-seated psychological habits.

Part 3: Breaking Free – Next, we’ll discuss how we can overcome it and free ourselves.

The good news is: mental exhaustion isn’t unbeatable. We can learn ways to break free.

The first method is embracing imperfection. Remember, being "good enough" is better than striving for "perfect but never finished." When you accept that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process, you free yourself from relentless pressure.

The second method is task separation. This idea originates from a psychologist. It means we should focus solely on our own responsibilities and avoid getting involved in matters that belong to others. For instance, your job is to prepare a presentation—whether or not others like it is their responsibility, not yours.

The third method is reducing over-reflection. Reflection is useful, but too much of it can become harmful. Instead of asking yourself "Did I do it well enough?" ten times, ask it once, jot down the answer, and move on.

The fourth method is setting an action threshold. This means giving yourself a limit for thinking. For example, "I'll think for 10 minutes, and then I must take the first step." Taking action itself reduces anxiety more effectively than endless planning.

Part 4: Energy Management – Finally, we’ll learn some practical ways to better protect and manage our energy.

Of course, breaking free once isn’t enough. We need a long-term strategy to protect ourselves.

First, practice emotional management. Learn to recognize your feelings, label them, and let them go. Keeping a diary, talking with friends, or exercising can all be helpful.

Second, try decluttering—both in your life and in your mind. Keep fewer unnecessary items and say no to tasks that don’t align with your priorities. When you have less to carry, you’ll conserve more energy.

Third, cultivate a growth mindset. Instead of saying "I failed," try saying "I learned something new." This shift in attitude makes challenges less intimidating and helps reduce inner conflict.

Finally, build a support system. No one can fight alone. Talk to friends, join communities, or seek guidance from mentors. When you share your struggles, the burden feels lighter.

Conclusion: Say No to Inner Conflict, Say Yes to Life

Mental drain is like a thief that quietly steals our time and energy. But once we understand it, trace its roots, learn practical methods, and build a healthy energy system, we can fight back.

So the next time you find yourself stuck in endless thinking, remember: stop the inner battle, take a small step, and keep moving forward. Life is too short to waste on self-absorption. Let’s say no to mental exhaustion—and yes to a more vibrant, purposeful life.

Thank you!

Good morning, everyone!

Today, I’d like to talk about a force that’s invisible yet profoundly affects us—mental exhaustion. Unlike physical fatigue, mental exhaustion is a silent inner battle. It leaves no visible scars, but it steadily drains our energy, saps our motivation, and can even make us doubt ourselves.

I'll share insights from four different perspectives.

P1: Understanding Mental Overthinking—Grasping the Essence and Its Impact

What is mental exhaustion? Simply put, it occurs when our thoughts, emotions, and actions lose their harmony, leading to ongoing internal conflict that drains our energy. For instance, wanting to rest but feeling guilty for not working, or wanting to express yourself but fearing judgment—ultimately, the energy wasted in these moments of hesitation far outweighs the energy actually spent on taking action.

Typical signs include:

Hesitating endlessly over every decision

Constantly comparing yourself to others

Tired before even working

Living in the past, worrying about the future

Self-assessment checklist:

Do you often replay conversations in your mind, regretting what you should have said back then?

Do you spend a lot of time planning but still hesitate to start?

Still feeling anxious after completing the task, worried you didn’t do well enough?

If most people answer "yes," you might be caught in mental exhaustion.

P2: Tracing the Root Cause – Unraveling the Source of Internal Friction

Why do we get caught in this cycle?

Perfectionism is the primary reason. The gap between reality and ideals continually leads to frustration.

Highly sensitive traits cause people to overreact to external judgments, with even subtle criticism triggering prolonged self-blame.

Overthinking leads us to get caught up in analyzing every possible scenario—yet fails to move us forward with real progress.

Fear of failure often leaves many people too afraid to even begin—or to confront their imperfections. But avoidance only weakens our strength; it’s through effort and experimentation that we truly grow.

It's clear that mental exhaustion is by no means laziness—it's instead a product of psychological habits.

P3: Breaking Free from Constraints — Strategies to Overcome Internal Struggles

The good news is: internal conflict isn’t insurmountable.

Method 1: Embrace imperfection. Remember, "completion" is far better than "perfection without even starting." Acknowledging mistakes is part of the learning process—only then can you break free from endless pressure.

Method 2: Separation of Concerns (based on psychologist Adler's theory).

Focus on the parts you can control—like preparing your speech thoroughly—while leaving it up to others whether or not they enjoy it.

Method 3: Cut down on excessive self-reflection. Reflect in moderation—instead of endlessly questioning, "Am I doing well enough?" simply jot down your answers and move on.

Method 4: Set an action threshold. Put a limit on your thinking: "After 10 minutes of reflection, you must take the first step." Action itself is more effective at easing anxiety than endless planning.

P4: Energy Management – Building a Protective System

A single breakthrough isn’t enough—what’s needed is a long-term protection strategy.

Emotion Management: Learn to recognize, label, and release your emotions. Keeping a journal, talking with friends, and exercising are all effective strategies.

Living and thinking with minimalism: Reject unnecessary tasks—by shedding burdens, you free up energy for what truly matters.

Cultivating a growth mindset: Replace "I failed" with "I gained experience," and turn challenges into opportunities—not sources of fear.

Build a support system: No one should ever face challenges alone. Share your thoughts with friends, join communities, and seek guidance from mentors—dividing the burden can make problems feel lighter.

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Closing thoughts: Stop the inner war—embrace the real life ahead.

Mental exhaustion is a thief that steals both time and energy. But when we recognize its true nature, trace it back to its roots, master effective strategies, and build a robust defense system, we can regain control over our lives.

The next time you find yourself caught in a whirlpool of overthinking, remember: Stop the inner battle—and take just one small step forward. Life is too precious to waste on self-struggle. Let’s put an end to mental exhaustion and embrace a vibrant, fulfilling life ahead!

Thank you!