“You have to be happy at this moment right now. You can’t say ‘I’ll be happy when…’ or ‘once this is over I can then enjoy…’ because there will always be something that causes stress in your life. Learn to be happy right now.”
This is a quote that didn’t come from a self-help book, an older parent, or a school counselor. Rather, it was said by my Accounting 111 professor last summer, the day before the dreaded final exam. When she gave her final lecture, which was more of a life lesson discussion, she was addressing a room full of very anxious students who were under immense pressure and experiencing incredible mental exhaustion, myself included.
I recall feeling guilty after this final lecture because all summer long, I was doing exactly what she told us not to do. I prioritized my stress and not myself. For example, I told myself I couldn’t take walks in my neighborhood with a good friend or grab a quick meal with another friend because there was always something to be done for this class. Why would I take a break when I could be preparing for the final at all minutes of the day? I thought I was being disciplined, but I was really just creating more stress by not escaping the confusing world of debits and credits. Looking back on my summer study habits, I realized how unhealthy this was and have changed my mentality for the better.
Midterms have come and gone. The library was packed at all hours, the line for afternoon Starbucks was ridiculously longer than usual, and students were running around like the apocalypse was about to begin. Just about everyone on this campus was suffering from the incredible pressures of Work Forest. I had my deal of stress as well; on top of a week filled with tests and papers, I fell behind on a few of my other commitments. The interesting thing to observe was that everyone was trying to “out stress” each other. If you weren’t stressed out, then it could be implied that you weren’t doing enough. Keep this in mind: You have way more on your plate than some people, but you also have a lot less than others too.
Here’s the thing: Stress is inevitable, so embrace it! There is the good kind of stress that’s motivating and the bad kind which could negatively impact your health. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there will always be something to stress about, even after removed from the competitive academic environment. You’re stressing about midterms now, but there’s more to come. Finals are just a few short weeks away. Then there will be the stress of finding your first internship or job. What about the stress of living on your own for the first time? Or the stress of an ill friend or family member? Like it or not, life is filled with this thing called stress; that’s why it’s called life.
The advice from my accounting professor completely changed my outlook on stress. Obviously I prioritize my studies, but I don’t let them take away from other aspects that I enjoy. Instead of canceling plans on friends (which I was guilty of doing a lot last summer), I try to reach out to others. Because let’s face it: Your friends are the ones who will help you out when you need it the most, especially during these hard times. And so, if you snap at them, then you’re essentially destroying the relationship when all they want to do is help and lift your spirits .
So, learn from my mistakes:
1. Reach out to friends because a small little “good luck on your test” text could make a huge impact!
2. Taking a quick dinner break to Panera with a few friends won’t make or break your test grade (it might even boost your mood and refresh you for the late night studying).
3. And there’s nothing wrong with taking a 30-minute break to go on a run, perhaps with a good friend; it’s beneficial for your mental health.
As all of the experienced college grads say, time management is key. These little “pick-me-ups” can serve as incentive to get your work done efficiently. Prioritize yourself and not your stress. Learn how to love life in the middle of your hardest moments. Why the heck would you delay happiness for yourself? You, yes you, deserve to love life, even during the times when it doesn’t love you back!
