Summertime sadness is a real thing for everyone, whether you're a student or not. This time around, I am trying to focus less on the heart-wrenching fact that summer is on its death bed and more on making this school year the best it can be. I personally had a difficult year last school year and have changed up my routine to commute for a year. Since I have two long days of classes and will be traveling by train, I've heard it all: 'Are you really doing this crazy commute? I don't know why anyone would want to do that. I just can't believe you've decided to commute!' Although I understand that these remarks are not always meant to be hurtful, they indeed can be. These inputs from others, in addition to support from others, and overcoming adversity last school year has thus fueled me to become more motivated to make this school year better than last with one goal in mind: be happy and do well.
Something that always helps me feel confident is being prepared. At a presentation during my first semester of college, one of my professors said, "without preparation there is no product." By planning a schedule, outfits, and daily routine, I have found that it makes the days less stressful because the tiny technical details are out of sight.
I also am going to attempt to focus on visualization. Athletes such as Michael Phelps and Kerri Walsh-Jennings, and actor Jim Carrey use images, sounds, and movements in their minds to help them absorb their environment when the time comes and focus on success. I am someone who on occasion gets nervous before exams and project deadlines, and visualizing a positive process and ending will definitely result in more happiness, relaxation, and accomplishments.
Find a balance between social and school life. Sometimes it can be tough to find that perfect area on the seesaw of being a student, but testing out new ways to do so is the only way to find out. When I am doing schoolwork, I keep a pad of paper next to me, and anytime that other thoughts pop into my mind, I jot them down so that I can forget about them and deal with them later on. In addition to focusing on homework and studies, finding out what time of day you study best is important so that you can save the other time for other activities.That is all life is after all, an experiment.
Staying positive is also a pivotal factor. In one of my communications core classes, I learned about the self-fulfilling prophecy, which basically says that you become what you tell yourself you are. Sometimes it can be challenging to positively reinforce your self-image to yourself because people around us can be negative! As I have mentioned earlier, I have experienced this over the summer when people comment on my new routine. While it is distressing, I have learned that by forcing these comments out of my head and focusing on how I can better myself and make this year great, I feel more refreshed and at ease. I have told myself that I can and will make my new plan for this year work and hopefully this positive thinking will benefit me in the long run. If you ever need a pick me up to jump-start your spirit, remember that 25 years ago, people would never have believed that Michael Phelps could ever have won 22 Olympic medals. A newspaper once said that Disney was not creative (prior to his grand successes). The Beatles were once rejected from a recording compound company in the 60's. Sometimes you have to just keep moving forward despite what people say or think of you, a lesson that has taken me time to become accustomed to. To me, that is the definition of joy: you reap its benefits the harder it is to achieve something, especially when people doubt you or you yourself never thought you could do something! In my opinion, overcoming adversity in this way is one of the most beautiful things on God's green earth.
No matter your path or goals, one golden rule you should live with one purpose: to be happy. Everyone manifests happiness in various ways, and people have to accept one another for that. You can always change things about yourself as well as strengthen the aspects that you like about yourself, it is in the beauty of life itself. What your plan is doesn't have to be traditional, mine is not, but I know I have to do what is right for me and not care about what others may think. A friend of mine once told me when faced with any challenge in life if you love what you do and where you are, you do it for yourself. This school year, enjoy your classes, make new friends and continue existing friendships, join a new organization, work hard, live freely and with one promise that I vow to live by: be as happy as possible, you owe it to nobody but yourself.
