Throughout my nineteen years on this planet, I have learned that, although life is an experience filled with many wonderful events and amazing opportunities, it can also have moments of failure, dejection and other negative emotions that seem to overshadow the good times. There are many things in life that can potentially trip you up, set you back or stop you in your tracks. Although college can be filled with fun and exciting moments, there are many times when the world seems like it's falling down around you. Whether it's relationship problems or break ups, not getting hired for a job you really wanted, not getting a coveted internship, not getting accepted to your dream graduate school, doing badly or failing a test or project, getting into a fight with a friend or roommate or a myriad of other things, many events can come your way that are unexpected, unwanted, undeserved and devastating. In times like these, it's sometimes hard to remember that life is full of wonderful, irreplaceable moments as well. Here are a few ways to help you get out of a stressful, disheartening rut and back on track.
At first, it's completely okay to be upset or totally stressed out. However, don't dwell on that feeling. There is nothing wrong with being upset. We all go through hard trials in life that can leave us feeling a bit defeated. It's okay to cry; it's okay to scream into a pillow; it's okay to listen to Drake and feel sorry for yourself a little bit. However, do not let it expand into weeks and months. Try going out for coffee with your friends. Go out by yourself and get some food or go to the gym and get some emotions out through exercise. Start a diary or journal to document your feelings or focus on your job or schoolwork. Get out there.
However, if these things aren't working for you, and you start to feel trapped in your negative emotions, do not hesitate to get help. Talk to a friend, resident assistant, residence hall director, a professor you feel close to or psychological services on your campus. There are people available to help you if you feel you need it.
Remember that whatever you are going through right now will not last forever. Life is composed of moments. Some are long, some are short. However, what is true is that each moment begins and each moment ends, giving way to a new moment. Whatever is going on right now will end and a new beginning will break through.
Do not let anything impede your goals and dreams. Just because a class may have gone badly, doesn't mean that you are a failure and that your career goals are squashed. Just because one relationship ended, doesn't mean that you'll never find someone new. Just because one opportunity passed you by, doesn't mean that there aren't others up the road or around the corner. Everyone has failed at least once in their life, and if they say that they haven't they're lying to you. When things don't go as planned, don't give up. Press on toward your bright future; learn from your missteps and mistakes and be confident in yourself.
Realize how great you are. If you are reading this, I want you to know that you are so much more than you think you are. You are intelligent, you are beautiful, you are important and you matter. If you ever feel stuck, just think of all your accomplishments and achievements. Think of all the good you've done thus far and plan to do in the future. Think of all the things you love about yourself. And if you can't think of anything, just remember that in my humble opinion, you're amazing.
