Let’s set the scene: It’s a Tuesday night, you’re in your room studying for the three tests you have coming up this week and while taking another Instagram break, you see it. A picture of all your friends pops up followed by a caption of how much fun they’re having (without you).
Being in college, it seems like there’s always something to do. Someone always wants to go out, a house is always having a party, a bar is always having a happy hour special, so it’s hard to not get caught up in the fun of it all. Fear Of Missing Out (the infamous: FOMO), is real. From social media, to that house party blasting music, you always know that someone out there is having a great time and you aren’t.
FOMO in college is so much more apparent than it was in the past. Not only are we surrounded by so many options all the time, but we have this mindset that college has to be “the best four years”. Since I started college I’ve been in a constant state of FOMO, regardless of if there even is something I’m missing out on.
So what happens when you do make the best out of your plans but still suffer from FOMO? You realize that you missed out on a party that was going on while you were at your best friend’s house. Or you really do need to study and can’t go to that social.
What we need to remember about FOMO is that we really aren’t missing out. How many times have you posted a picture talking about how much ~fun!!!~ you’re having when in reality, you’re ready to go home? How many snapchats have you taken at a party that is actually pretty lame?
We want to do it all but we can’t- and that’s okay. We need to come back to reality and remember that everything is not what you see. We should stop living vicariously through people and enjoy the time we’re having rather than be concerned with what others are doing.
There’s nothing wrong with taking a night in for yourself. You shouldn’t be in a constant state of regret for staying in to study for a huge test. FOMO is real, but FOMO is also stupid. We all use the excuse that we’re only young once…but we also are just people and we aren’t running on constant energy.
So I’m making a vow to not let FOMO control me. I’m not going to be concerned on missing one night out when there are a thousand more left. I’m not going to be upset about missing one party just because I was at another one. Luckily, we have so many options and even though it’s not possible to do it all we still have so many opportunities make memories, and that in itself is pretty great.
