This past semester has been super hard. Harder than the past semesters. More difficult tests, double the amount of projects, and drama that people mistakenly say ends after high school. In the midst of all the all-nighters to finish projects and the mental break downs that seem to happen at least once a week, it’s hard to find peace.

Then, the break in the storm arrives. Even though it seems like you will never get a break from school work and enjoy your time, there is always a deadline that comes sooner than later. After the cutoff, you can finally put down the pen and breathe. The air will seem easier to carry into your lungs. Your chest will rise and fall with a familiar ease. Everything seems to be effortless for an instant.

I know the stress of college can seem more than you can handle at some points in time with all the 8 page papers and the 4 tests in a period of two days. However, as a college student, you need to live for that next intermission between the many acts and scenes of college. Learn to enjoy those fleeting, serene moments because that is what will carry you through.

God has made a sky full of stars. Lay down on the roof. Listen to the quietness of night. Hear the crickets playing you their never ending song. Hear the fountain with its peaceful lull. Just look at the stars, and you will feel small again.

All the toils, or struggles, that we, as the bright young minds of the next generation, are facing won’t really matter for long. Just remember that we won’t always have useless Science 101 homework forever or 8 page papers that specifically have to answer a prompt that doesn’t even make sense in the first place. All of this will pass away into memory.

So, go ahead. Trudge through the gruesome filth of college knowing that your break is coming. Just hang in there long enough to reach it. Perseverance and hard work will pay off in the long run, and the breath of fresh air afterwards will be that much sweeter.

In the encouraging words of my color guard squad,

“You got it, Janice!”