As the semester comes to a close, our minds are often rampant with negative thoughts about ourselves. We beat ourselves up for that less than perfect grade or for not landing that dream job. We spend countless hours worrying about how we will achieve greatness and success. The funny thing is, each of us is already uniquely successful in our own ways. We may not be like that person we look up to or we may be missing "x," yet we have "y" and "z" already.
Comparison is the root of all unhappiness. If we begin to compare ourselves to others and try to measure our worth by looking at another person's grades or accomplishments, we will fall into an endless hole and be unable to get out. The world doesn't need you to be like the person next to you. The world needs you to use your unique skills and talents to make it a better place.
I too have been guilty of putting way too much pressure on myself or being myself up for that less than perfect grade or that not so amazing project. Yet, even though we place so much emphasis on those things at this stage of our lives, those aren't things we will remember a few years down the line.
In graduate school or our future jobs, we most likely will never be asked, "What grade did you get in Business Finance?" or "Why did you not get that internship?" Sometimes we become so engrossed in what people are telling us we should do and what our neighbors are doing, that we forget about the things that truly matter.
Friendships, family, student organizations, jobs, late-night ice cream sessions, Netflix marathons with friends and spontaneous road trips are things that really matter. These are the things we will look back and remember fondly.
As this semester comes to a close and you look forward to next fall, remember to be kind to yourself. Don't forget to take a deep breath and know that one bad grade or one awful interview does not define who you are from now on. You are much more than a rejection letter or a letter on a transcript. Be gentle with yourself.
