Sometimes, college seems like a waste of time. You feel like your major will amount to nothing, your resume will be a page full of school projects and four years of your life will have been wasted on a routine of class, homework and Greek life obligations. You are constantly on the go in college, whether a friend wants to do something or adding another club to your resume, it seems there is never time to just sit down and do nothing. I think it’s fair to say all of us have had this feeling. This constant nagging inside while you sit in your Principles of Biology class  -- which is the exact opposite of your major -- and you feel like your time and money could be better spent elsewhere. Sometimes I even wonder, “What am I doing here?”            

For every college student, there is a dream to become the exception. You have that urge to drop out of school, travel the world, backpack through Europe and create a nonprofit organization inspired by your experience. I think it is safe to say that the exceptions are few and the failures, plenty. We love to cling to these ideas to get us through the day especially with finals around the corner. What most of us don’t realize is that while college may not be for everyone, for most, it is a necessity. My running joke with all of my friends is to say I am moving to Australia, or I am going to drop out and join the Peace Corps. While all of those things sound great with your friends, or in your thoughts, it doesn’t change your opportunities, your day, the outcome of your major or how you go about thinking. The setting only changes the scenery, not the outlook.

Sometimes we forget how good we actually have it. One of my biggest mistakes of college has been thinking everything will just be handed to me, and when things don’t happen for me, I get discouraged and develop the college blues. We have to work for what we earn. It is highly unlikely, that, as journalism major, not being involved, making mediocre grades, and partying every Thursday night will get me my dream job at a news publication. I have to work towards my goal to achieve what I want, and I know this sounds silly, but it is true. Every little Spanish quiz you take or every class you attend adds up and amounts to your future or career. If we want to make it in this competitive, unyielding world we have to make sure that every move in college counts. Most of the days can be repetitive, and we feel that the constant routine of our days is a waste of time, but we have the opportunity of a lifetime to excel and succeed. There has to be will power and drive to do what you want to do. There is no one to tell you to start researching your career options or find internships. You are on your own, and college is what you put into it.            

What I have found best to get myself out of these college blues is to take a few minutes, or an hour, and do something totally unrelated to college. Sometimes, I find leaving campus really helps because a person can only take so much Mylabs plus and homecoming hours. We forget that we have lives that are not just meant for school, and while we do have to make the most of our college career we have to take time for ourselves, too. It helps during that time to ourselves to be mindful of why we are here and what we are doing. Yes, some of our core classes are boring, and sometimes Greek life gets tedious, but every decision we make in college counts for our future.            

When you are studying for your third test of the week, or attending another two hour chapter, remind yourself what drove you to come to college. Not everyone is able to attend college, or go to a school as amazing as the U of A. Take that hour out of your day to take care of yourself, dedicate some time to do something outside of college, and remember what these four years mean.