It’s toward the end of the semester, and all of us college students are feeling all different kinds of ways. However, it is you that I see. I see you sitting there, in the library, with tears in your eyes and disappointment on your face. It seems that no matter what, nothing you do isn’t good enough. The many hours you spent on the paper for your major class, and after getting it back you only receive a C, to the problems at home that no matter how hard you try to detach yourself from come crawling back to your mind late at night, friend problems, the list goes on and on. Being a college student is hard. Actually, it is very hard, and not a lot of people who haven’t been or are not a college student understand.

But I see you. I see the never ending nights of homework, the tears, and the hidden pain. I want you to know — I’m just like you, too. Sometimes life isn’t all that we hoped it to be. You came to college with the expectation of having fun, and work just being there. You never anticipated these sleepless nights and feelings of hopelessness. Maybe you’re under the grueling pressure of your parents to have perfect grades, or your friend group has turned against you, or you’re struggling with a mental illness. You’re worn out and empty. You feel like there is nothing left that you can give to anyone, not even to yourself.

But, I am here to say that you are doing just fine, my dear. You have made it this long. After every sleepless night, you’ve awoken to a new day, and put your feet in front of you and kept on going. That’s what is important. Or maybe you haven’t put your feet in front of you, maybe this exhausted has stolen the steps from your feet and you’ve stuck in your room — and that’s OK. You need to stop being so tough on yourself, and to start loving and being patient with yourself. As much as you don’t want to believe it, you aren’t wonder man/woman. You can only do so much. So take a step outside and breathe in the crisp, spring air. Pour yourself a cup of hot coffee or tea. Take a walk around campus. You have to realize that sometimes, just getting out of bed has to be enough. Don’t let your feeling of discouragement make you give up. You can’t give up. You are in the exact place you are right now for a reason, and that reason is up to you.

Just know that it will all be OK. One day, you will not have to pull any all-nighters. You won’t have a 10 page research paper due on top of 50 other assignments. One day you will receive your degree, and you will end up in a job you love. You just have to push through these harder days to make it to the good ones. Your hard work will all pay off, and it will all be OK. Your worries will not be so heavy one day, and everything will fall into place.

Just breathe.

"Head up, heart open. To better days!" - T. F. Hodge