As the warm months approach and the end of the school gets closer, it's easy to find yourself discouraged; however, with a couple reminders, you will remember that you are fully capable of making it to summer and finishing out the academic year with success.
1. Take time for yourself.
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Everyone is involved with their particular clubs, jobs, volunteering, etc. As important as those things are, it is equally important to take time and reflect on yourself and how you are doing. Don’t fill your schedule so full that you end up spreading yourself too thin. You need time to reflect, to relax and to make meaning of your daily activities.
2. Everything will work out the way it’s meant to be.
No matter how many times a college student is told this, it will never fully resonate. However, I still think it deserves to be said. Every rejection, every mistake, and every accomplishment is building you into the person you are meant to be. Have faith in that, and more importantly, have faith in yourself. We all struggle sometimes, but a few bumps in the road can’t even compare to the success that has yet to come.
3. One bad test score isn’t the end of the world.
One of the worst moments in a college student’s life is receiving an awful test grade… and I mean awful. We’ve all been there at some point or another, and it’s important to recognize that one bad test grade won’t ruin your life forever. I can admit (from experience, unfortunately) that a bad test grade is a big hit to one’s confidence, but rather than dwelling on the negative, look on the bright side and use the grade to fuel your motivation to kick butt on the next one.
4. Extend outside of your comfort zone.
Talk to that person you see around all the time but have never met. Join a club that none of your friends are in but deeply interests you. Declare your major even though it’s scary. Ask for an internship. Apply for the job. Absolutely nothing will happen for you if you don’t learn to leave your comfort zone and fearlessly pursue your passion.
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
It is completely, 100 percent normal to struggle during college. Everyone does whether or not they admit it, and it is way better to reach out for help rather to internalize your problems and endure them alone.
6. Give yourself some credit.
You have worked endless hours to get to where you are right now, and that in itself deserves some recognition. Be proud of who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and everything you have in store for the future.
7. Call your parents.
Without parents, none of us would be here (literally) and for sure wouldn’t be receiving an education. They love you, care about you, and want you to succeed more than anyone else, so make sure to give them a call every once in a while and show your appreciation for their support.
8. Understand that you are privileged.
Less than half of the American population receives a college education. Whether your parents pay for tuition or you pay for everything by yourself, recognize that you are privileged to be a part of the 40 percent of Americans that attend college, and allow this statistic to fuel your motivation for your studies.
9. Reach out to people.
An incredibly vital aspect of college is networking, and a lot of students seem to forget this. Go to your professor’s office hours, reach out to peers in your classes, and connect with people around you. The more connections the better, because you never know what opportunities could arise from a simple interaction.
10. College only happens once.
Despite the constant fatigue, lack of sleep, mediocre cafeteria food, and late night study sessions, college is amazing. It is a period of discovering yourself, forming meaningful relationships, and having the time of your life all at once. Four years may seem like a long time, but it goes by in the blink of an eye; don’t forget to enjoy it.
Keep studying hard, live in the moment and enjoy the crazy adventures college throws at you, because it won't last forever. We've almost made it through another academic year, and pretty soon we're all going to see the light at the end of the tunnel (aka summer), so keep pushing!
