In college, especially at a school like Michigan, it is easy to get caught up in the philosophy that you have to be doing everything you possibly can at all times if you want to succeed.
Being surrounded by some of the most brilliant, ambitious people I have ever met is both exciting and motivating. Everyone here is so passionate about what they do, and that is part of what makes this place so special. The goal of most students seems to be to join endless clubs, build their resume, get a 4.0, create a 20-year plan to then someday become president, end world hunger, find a cure to cancer, etc. etc.
That is the mindset of 'the leaders and the best', and although sometimes I am unsure I fit into this category, am proud every day to be considered a part of this community. Yet, I think that something not talked about enough on this campus is when to stop, when your own mental health and sanity has to come before your desire to be the best student that you can be.
This point is very different for everyone, but I think that it is important to acknowledge that everyone has one. Feeling overwhelmed as a college student is natural, but the critical distinction is when your stress starts to impact your life negatively. At Michigan, I think that this is an especially hard pill to swallow, considering that almost every person at this university was an over-involved, top-of-their-class high school student.
Yet, despite what your parents say, or what high bar you hold yourself to, nothing matters unless you are content with what you are doing now. You are at to college to build your own education and life experiences-- hopefully someday cumulating into a desirable career. Yes, jobs are scary, yes college is hard, and expensive, and competitive. But also, you are living your life in the now, and I think that living your life any other way is no life at all. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty for doing what you need to do to keep your sanity during these crazy four years and beyond. Whether it may come from internal or external sources, I honestly think your mental health should always be more important than the expectations you feel you should be living up to. Call your family, take a nap, watch Netflix, try a yoga class.
Don't be ashamed to say no to something that you don't think you can take on. If you spread yourself to thin with things you aren't even passionate about, the ones you actually care about will slip through the cracks, and the person you hurt the most is yourself. College is hard. But it's a lot harder if you don't take care of yourself. Be selfish, and be sure you don't accidentally lose who you are trying to take on more than you can handle.
