Selfishness has a negative connotation and is a word people are not regularly eager to use to describe themselves. It implies someone with backward agendas and intentions, and with a disregard to others. However, selfishness, I think, is necessary when being a student in college.
Think about it. For the majority of us, this is the first time in our lives where we are on our own, without our parents to take care of us. We have to start taking care of ourselves. We have to actually do our own laundry and remember to not leave any red socks in with our white load. We have to remember to eat our vegetables every once in a while, and that maybe pizza three times a day is not the wisest choice.
But, we also have to start taking care of ourselves mentally and emotionally on a level we have not yet experienced. As a freshman, the amount of homework and academic responsibilities are daunting most days. I easily procrastinate and use up all of my free time in ways that do not even count as self-care (i.e. watching vines for hours or just sitting around on twitter rather than reading a good book or painting). So by 1:30 A.M., I am overwhelmed with the amount of cramming I had to do and with how drained I feel, just to wake up early and do it all over again. Time is of the essence in college, it is invaluable and yet in mass supply. We have the responsibility now to divide that time up and give our attention to things of all sorts.
Let me say this just once;
You do not owe anyone or anything your time if it is not going to benefit you as an individual.
This means the club you think will look good on a future resume, your fraternity or sorority, a boyfriend/girlfriend, those extra shifts at work, a friendship, parties every weekend, and honestly anything else that could come to mind. You can cut activities, people, and extracurriculars if necessary. Your well-being and self-management are more important than whatever "obligations" you feel you have to abide by simply because of college culture.
College culture tells us that we need to have a consistent stream of social interaction to graduate feeling socially successful and acceptable. College culture tells us to not be tied down and avoid relationships, that hookups are the way to go. College culture tells us to study hard during the week just so we can go out and get wasted by "partying harder" on the weekends.
You need to be selfish. Everyone here needs to be selfish. We all need to be selective and picky with how we spend our time and taking care of ourselves. We are all in the same boat: We need to understand that everyone is looking out for their best interests and we need to be doing the same.
So, take care of yourself. And I'll take care of myself too.
