A Shoutout To My Overachievers
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

A Shoutout To My Overachievers

It's a hard life, but someone has got to do it.

43
A Shoutout To My Overachievers
Flickr

Overachiever, perfectionist, type-A, nit-picker, stickler… whatever you want to call it. I’ve been an overachiever for all my life. I can’t quite remember the first time I decided to go above and beyond, but it was probably two weeks before my due date when I was ready to meet the world. Growing up, I never realized that my need to be the best was out of the ordinary. I thought everyone wanted to push themselves past the point of successful, but I was wrong.

In high school I was the student who was involved in every club and most likely holding positions in every organization I could get into. I had bake sales every weekend and took the ACT a thousand times until I received the scores I felt I deserved. I signed up for too many AP classes and tried out too many sports. Often times you hear the story of an overachieving high school student turning into an underachieving college kid. I broke that stereotype.

I am almost finished with my junior year at a private liberal arts college, studying public relations and writing. I am now more of an overachiever than ever and sometimes I wish I wasn't. This semester alone I am taking 300-level classes that I don’t even need, just for “fun.” I have never minded being a perfectionist. I honestly can’t understand how people aren’t, but there are some drawbacks about constantly overachieving.

Resentment

I truly don’t understand how people just do the bare minimum. Sometimes I wish I had that talent, but most of the time it make me anxious to see people not try their best. I don’t think this resentment is created consciously. It spirals underneath the skin, until one day it explodes. You start to resent people around you because they are doing much less than you. When you are the only person pushing yourself to the limit, you start feeling resentful toward others, even if you are pushing yourself needlessly.

Pushover

There comes a point when the people around you begin to take advantage of you. Often they don’t even mean to. They are used to you taking over and doing everything so they begin to quit doing their respective parts. It’s hard to be a people-pleaser because you just can’t say no. Overachieving leads to becoming a pushover because if the work isn’t getting done, it doesn’t matter whether its your duty or not — you are going to do it.

Anxiety

Anxiety and overachieving go hand-in-hand. The I expected more from you and You could have done better, statements are the worst things to hear. The cherry on top of all the anxiety is that those statements are usually coming from yourself. Self pressures cause stress and anxiety. A fear of never being able to measure up to the skewed standards.

Failure

When you are an overachiever, failure hits a lot harder. I mean, it makes sense; if you don’t put all of your energy into something and it doesn’t work out, you aren’t going to be that heartbroken. But, if you try your hardest and drain yourself to make something the best and then you fail… well it’s going to be a tough pill to swallow.

In a mind that travels 500 times faster on a one-way street to success, it’s hard to handle the stresses of life. Especially in college when your future is up in the air. Achievement is great, but taking a deep breath and relaxing is even better.

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

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71388
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

133460
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments