Before I even begin, I have to disclaim that I love both of my parents with all of my heart. Never have I ever respected two people, and their opinions, more in my entire life. We are like the three best friends anyone could have -- most of the time. Generally, if I do not understand something they say or do, or vice versa, we help each other out to understand the alternate perspective. Usually, this leads to growth on both ends. However, there is one topic I believe my parents will never truly grasp and that is just how difficult college is, nowadays.
I am sorry, Mom, but even though you went to college, you do not understand. That was the '80s -- a completely different world. I am sorry, Dad, but no matter how much you read up on it, you will not understand. College in 2015 is innately different from everything you think you know about it. Yes, the basic concept will always remain the same -- going to class, studying, hanging out with friends, drinking, and so on and so forth. But, now, there is more to it than that. Now, there is this thing called competition.
Everyone today wants to get a good college education because society constantly tells my generation that we will be nothing without it. This is why so many more young adults are choosing to attend. College leads to a degree, which most jobs now require. So, basically, every day I am being told that if I do not do well in school, I will fail in life. Just think about that stress for a second. Picking a college to attend was enough stress in the first place. Then, once I got here, I was immediately told to pick a major. Excuse me, what? I was still trying to figure out how to do my own laundry, and I have to make another life altering decision? And just to add more stress to the pile, the major I chose, just happens to be in one of the most competitive and selective programs in the country. I wish I was kidding. But no worries, my professors will make sure I have two tests and a paper due, all on the same day.
In addition to the constant stress of being intellectually successful during these four years, society also wants me to figure out who I am. Sorry, but I am going to have to pass. I honestly do not have time for that. Yes, I know when “you were in my shoes” college made you into the person you are today. But my fingers can barely finish typing one essay, before I have to move on to the next. So, sorry if I do not have time for that whole self-discovery thing.
What you do not understand, parents, is that your student is basically in the Olympics every day. Except instead of countries competing, it is college students -- 40,000 of them, in my case. I do not have time to call you. I do not have time to even think about what lies ahead. I only have time to get through each day alive. No, before you say it, I am not being overly dramatic. Today, we students have to take it day by day, completing whatever task is in front of us at that time. If we don’t, we will not fulfill all that is expected of us. And then we will not make anything of our lives.
Parents, just to reiterate, please do not think for even a second that your college student does not love you. We do, I promise. I really wish you could understand everything we go through on a daily basis (I have barely touched the surface), but you simply cannot. Both of us are going to have to accept that.
For, now, just support me like you always have. Be there for me. Although there is nothing you can do about any of this, I still need you. Just believe me when I say, I am stressed. And do not try to tell me otherwise.
