Don’t Belittle My Problems Just Because I’m Young

It seems whenever I talk about stress around adults, I either get laughed at, belittled, or just overall ignored.

“You're 20 years old, you don't even know what stress is".

“If you can't handle your problems now, good luck when things ACTUALLY get hard".

Just because I'm a 20-year-old college student does not mean my stress and my struggles are any less real.

I don't have a single day to myself. Most adults work 9-5, Monday through Friday. I have class throughout the week and work on the weekends. In between classes, I have to do homework, internships, and sometimes work even more. I have had all of four opportunities this month to sleep in past 7:30 am and I'm rarely home before 7 pm. It seems like there are just never enough hours in the day to fit in all the studying, work, classes, and internships I need.

But you're right, I'm not stressed.

College is also a time when everyone is trying to figure out the rest of their lives. No one knows how to “adult", but we're not kids anymore either. For most of us, this is the first time we're really on our own. I have to balance my finances (because yes I pay for a lot of my own bills), class, social life, exercise, sleep, and grades. This is the time that determines my future.

But that's not stressful at all right?

I know, as an adult your struggles and stress have much more resonance. But that doesn't mean mine are meaningless. That doesn't mean I shouldn't be stressed about the things in my life. It is so annoying to have adults compare your problems to theirs and come to the conclusion that since they're older, their problems are bigger and better and we have no reason to stress since their lives are so much harder.

Don't trivialize my life. Don't make me feel stupid just because I'm stressed about a different point in my life.

Not to mention, I've even been told several times by grown adults:

“I don't feel bad for you. Welcome to my world".

Do you not see a problem with that?

I, a 20-year-old college student, am being “welcomed to the world" of a 40-something-year-old adult with a family and a career. I should never be put in the same boat as someone with a mortgage, kids, and career. I should not feel the same stress as you.

Bottom line: I may not have problems as serious as adults or as much stress, but that doesn't make my stress any less real. Adults need to realize that college isn't just a carefree simple time for everyone when no one should experience legitimate struggles.