A late-night assignment submission by a Delhi University student has turned into a wider reflection on student well-being, after their professor responded with a message that has since gone viral.

At 3:49 AM, the student sent in their work, a gesture of commitment that moved Professor Kavita Kamboj but also worried her. In her heartfelt reply, she praised the student’s diligence yet gently reminded them that academic excellence should never come at the cost of health.

“You have done a wonderful job, Shree. The way you include each minute detail is commendable,” she wrote, before adding: “Just one request—don’t sacrifice your sleep for work. It doesn’t make sense. Always there for you for any help. Give me a call after a good sleep and breakfast.”

Later, sharing the incident on LinkedIn, Kamboj stressed the importance of balance: “There is no need to sacrifice your sleep for work that can always be managed with better planning… Without proper rest, even the best efforts lose their meaning. Plan your day well. Sleep well. Work with energy and clarity. Your well-being matters more than deadlines.”

The post quickly resonated, drawing hundreds of responses from students and professionals alike. “We really need more teachers like you,” wrote one user. Another described the message as an “underrated lesson” while others called it “a blessing to have teachers who care beyond the classroom.”

Grateful for the overwhelming response, Professor Kamboj later thanked readers for engaging with her message and recognizing the deeper point she was trying to make—that health and humanity must stand above deadlines.