It’s not even Thanksgiving break yet, and I’m already stressing out about what I’m going to do in summer. As a college student, everyone expects you to travel, gain work experience, save money, and do internships, all at the same time. Being a student is stressful, to say the least. Personally, I want to focus on traveling since I feel like these years are my only chance, but I know many others feel this same pressure to get everything, and anything, done. I have discovered a struggle within myself over my desire for new experiences, and my loyalty to my former experiences.
Just like everybody else, when I find something I enjoy, I want to keep doing that. The same goes for friendships I have, and people I feel comfortable with. Coming from a small town, I have a strong sense of community instilled in me, but recently I have found this to be more of a weakness than a strength. To be more precise, it is my comfort-zone within these communities: family, friends, my summer job of two years, that is stopping me, not pressure from them for me to stay. But if you are feeling a pressure to please others, my advice is that people who care for you will want you to be happy and fulfilled.
I don’t think I’m alone when I feel like I might miss out on important instances if I break out of my comfort zone. But I try to remind myself that life will always “get in the way.” I am finally understanding that it's up to me to decide how my life will unfold, and as much as I love it and my experiences, I need to introduce myself to more. With the amount of expectations put on college students and young adults everywhere, it is okay to do something for yourself. It’s cliché, but life really is what you make of it, and living with regrets won’t help you in the end.
I’m sick of feeling jealous every time I see people post pictures of themselves in new and exciting places. I don’t want to resent myself or them because I won’t allow myself to try something new. But I know that a change of attitude is just the first step. There are a lot of other aspects to be considered. For some, it may be a family member. I worry a lot that I’m wasting away the time I have with my grandma, particularly as a result of my grandpa’s passing a few years ago.
Of course, time is precious, and you should cherish it as best you can, but in many cases, the time you think you would be taking away would’ve been claimed anyway. For me, it’s my job. I become attached and loyal easily, needing to be reminded by others that I don't owe my time to any person or any job. And, in this case, I use my experience to honor her and share with her.
Another issue may be your financial situation, which is a large influence for me. There are times when you can't save money and accomplish what you want, maybe even need, to do. Money will most likely always be a leading factor in your life decisions, so don't let it win yet. This is the time when experience can take precedence over it, and in some cases, it can actually help you later on with getting a job!
Summer is no longer expected to be a free time to relax, not like it was as a kid. Not only do I miss that ideology, but I think it has been the missing key to controlling my stress. We work hard, and if you can, try to “treat yo self” a little and allow yourself a change of pace and/or scenery. Make choices that will make you happy, choices that will turn into proud memories for the future.