At this point in the semester, I'm burnt out. I'm up late at night and out of bed just before the sun is up in the morning. I alternate Red Bull and water in a healthy-unhealthy cycle that, I think, appropriately reflects the mess that is my life feels like right now.

I'm in the English honors program. I'm also prone to procrastination despite how many times it has hurt me or how many times I tell myself I'll never procrastinate again. It's a vicious cycle that I keep trapping myself in and it's put me in the worst position to be in:

I wanted to give up.

I questioned myself and my ability. Why did I take on this challenge when it was completely optional? I felt, deeply and miserably, that I couldn't go any further or do any more work related to the program. I wanted to get out of it, fast, so that I could just blend into the general population and have a much easier senior year.

Even if I wouldn't graduate with honors, something I once fiercely aspired to do, that didn't matter at the moment: I was so fed up with my inability to be my version of "the best" that all I could think to do was completely give up.

It's easy to get trapped in those negative feelings and perceive yourself as incapable of doing something, no matter what it is. I'm sure a lot of you are dealing with intense academics right now, especially as midterms are plowing through universities around the country. Staying up past midnight studying, depending on an espresso first thing in the morning, pulling on sweatpants and a baseball cap because you're neglecting your appearance and confidence to collapse on a stained couch in the library—we have all been there in one way or another.

We have also all overcome these obstacles that threaten to defeat us.

You wouldn't be here today without rising above a challenge and conquering it like a boss. Even small achievements count, like going to the gym when you'd rather lie in bed, curtains drawn, and merge with the covers. I know that I have been in this position before where I feel utterly hopeless and want to throw in the towel. I also know that I exist as the current person I am after choosing to not give up, and that's amazing.

That tells me all I need to know: I can do anything I set my mind to, no matter how difficult it feels in the moment. Even if that moment stretches for days, weeks, or month (to be honest, my "moment" is every new semester after a few weeks). I know from past experience that I'm strong enough to make it through with a few more battle scars to show my capability.