It’s the end of the year. Papers are piling up, exams feel like they are every other day, and no matter how many hours you spend at the library, it just feels like it's not enough. College students today feel pressure in every aspect of their lives. It isn’t enough to have a decent GPA anymore. Without a 4.0 GPA, job experience, references, and internships, the world seems like it is going to be a very bleak place.
Sometimes the stress students feel is necessary. (There’s nothing quite like the pressure of a paper being due in two hours to get things moving.) But sometimes the amount of stress we feel as students can be unhealthy. Last week I was on the verge of a mental breakdown after having two papers due, a presentation, and a busy work-week. As I sat eating lunch with a friend before our evening class, I suddenly knew I needed a break. The sensible side of me was thinking that I could have a break after I attended class and finished the paper I knew was due in a couple of days, but I couldn’t ignore the incessant need I suddenly felt to do something that was completely unrelated to school, work, or any other responsibility I had.
After a little convincing on my part, my friend and I spent the rest of the day doing nothing productive. We played with puppies at the animal shelter and briefly considered adopting, did a little retail therapy, and ended our day at a restaurant we’d never tried before. The unplanned adventure was exactly what I needed. As someone who is consistently doing a balancing act in my life, it was refreshing to put everything down for a few hours and enjoy the day.
College is extremely important and it is a serious responsibility that can’t be taken lightly. Our decisions we make during these four (maybe five) years as students will ultimately have some effect on our future. Sometimes in the midst of all the stress and pressure to do well, it is easy to forget what it's like to do something just for pure enjoyment. Sometimes one of the best things a student can do is to step away from the books for a moment. Do something that makes you happy. Whether it be watching a movie on Netflix, going on a hike, or just going to dinner with friends, remembering to do something for yourself every once in awhile is important.
After my day off, I was still able to complete all of my assignments on time. The next day I was right back in the middle of the chaos. One thing was different, though. I was refreshed and ready to take on whatever life threw at me. For what felt like the first time in a long time, I felt rested. I felt prepared to tackle my schoolwork. In spending just five hours doing something fun, I had remembered how important happiness is. In a world full of stress, remember the ultimate goal. For me, it isn’t necessarily making the most money or getting the highest grade on exam. (Although that would be okay with me.) The goal is to have joy. Joy that sometimes only a day spent at the animal shelter can bring, joy that you can’t find by marking things off a to-do list, joy that can only be found in time spent with friends.
I take my role as a student very seriously, and I will continue to do so. I will continue to stress about my grades, and I will continue to strive for perfection. I won’t forget to find time to do things that make me happy, though. Without happiness, all the hard work and everything that comes with it just seems a little pointless.
