College Is A Sliver Of Life: A Change In Perspective | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

College Is A Sliver Of Life: A Change In Perspective

We must see past our struggles in this present moment

33
College Is A Sliver Of Life: A Change In Perspective
the Changeover

Many times I find myself ruminating on an assignment. Is this essay well-researched? Will I get a good grade on this assignment? I constantly calculate my grades mentally and think about school all the time. I realized the other day, as I sat down to dinner with my friends, how consumed my life is with school: Undergraduate, GRE, Graduate School, rinse and repeat. I wasn't truly in the moment during dinner; I checked for an email from a professor and fretted over a math exam score in my head. I just need to stop. I have such difficulty seeing beyond this moment in my life where everything is uncertain: my career, my home, that I'm not enjoying life. I'm so busy checking responsibilities off a mental checklist that I forget this isn't my whole life, just a fraction. I know I'm not the only one that does this. I hear frazzled students complain about test scores, professors, and final grades on the sidewalks on the way to class.

We all need to take a collective deep breath and stop allowing college to consume our lives.

This doesn't mean that we ignore our responsibilities to school work, but we need to prioritize the facets of our lives so that one doesn't dominate the other. Take a walk and really look at the world around you. When I walked to class last week, I noticed that some of the red tulips planted in the flower beds were already in blooming, beginning to open for the season. A little vibrancy to break up the gloominess of a grey, cloudy sky. Absorb the small joys of life: laughter, tea with friends, and the opportunity to read a good book. These are the activities that represent bliss, that I will remember for the rest of my life, not if I earned an "A" on a project.

There is a certain brand of narcissism that creeps in when we let concerns about school dictate our thoughts. Our problems are so magnified that we become so self-absorbed, and don't realize that others are struggling, too. If you want to get out of a rut and self-pity party, go help someone else, not so that you can see how insignificant your problems are, (this reasoning is problematic for many reasons), but so that you can be productive in someone else's life and put some distance between you and your problems.

You are person worthy of love and support with the potential to make important contributions in society. Your grades, your lack of productivity on Saturdays does not define you as a person. Don't become so consumed with college that you forget that there are other important aspects of your life. This is just a small sliver of your life. Do your homework, take your tests, go to student organization meetings and then be done. Enjoy yourself. You have one chance to be in your twenties, don't squander these moments with divided attention and unnecessary worry.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

2299
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1385
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200624
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

21170
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments