Let's Talk About The Cycle Of Life
Start writing a post
Student Life

'The Lion King' Might Have Taught Us The Circle Of Life, But Let's Talk About The Cycle Of Life

Wake up. Go to class. Do work. Go to sleep. Repeat.

452
'The Lion King' Might Have Taught Us The Circle Of Life, But Let's Talk About The Cycle Of Life
Tanisha Paul

Last weekend I went to Maple View Farm in Chapel Hill and ate the most amazing ice cream to reward myself for getting through a tough week. While relaxing in a rocking chair overlooking the ongoing fields filled with cows, I saw something so simple yet so pure.

I saw a little girl getting dropped off from a school bus. I could see a huge smile on her face as she enthusiastically waved goodbye to the bus driver. After waiting for the bus to get out of sight, she sprinted down a small path towards her house, and I could see her small pink backpack bouncing along behind her.

I thought back to what my life was like in elementary school and when I did not have anything to stress over. I didn't have to stress about getting into college, finding an internship, or writing a 20-page paper. I had so much time to play tennis in my neighborhood, play Mario Kart with my dad, and have hobbies like playing the piano and reading for pleasure. Now that I'm in college I feel like I'm in a non-stop cycle of trying to get to the weekend. I see that a lot of my peers are also in the constant slump of just trying to get through the week.

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people say they do things because "it'll look good on their resume." When did we stop doing things that we were passionate about in exchange for stuff that is supposed to make us "look good." It breaks my heart to see people push themselves past their physical and emotional limits because they feel like they have to sacrifice things like sleep and hobbies to succeed. It's true that college applications and job searching has gotten significantly more competitive over the years because people seem to be doing 10x more extra-curricular activities than people were in the past, and also seem to be mirroring that with stellar grades.

It is almost like as students, we have turned into automatons who have lost our sense of identity. If someone were to ask you to summarize yourself in three words, what would you say? Would you have something to say about yourself that isn't on your resume?

I'm not saying that hobbies can't be extra-curricular activities, but I think that we all need to be a little bit more selfish sometimes. We need to be able to do things just because we want to. We need to go on walks, sing, dance, play soccer, do yoga, re-watch Disney movies, bake cookies, read, paint, meditate, and explore who we want to be in this huge world.

I thought I wished that I could be as young as the little girl I saw at Maple View, but then realized that there is nothing stopping me from being that happy. I'm in control of my own life, and it's time for me to start being more spontaneous and doing things just because I want to.

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

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

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

49317
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
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

31386
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955061
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180310
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments