College is tough. As much as we want to deny it, it’s true. Even the person who gets all A’s and flies through each day like it’s nothing has those rough moments.
The middle of the semester is always the hardest. All your classes are in full force piling on tons of work. It just doesn’t seem possible to get it all done. There is always that one class that seems determined to drag down your grade. Midterms just passed which gives you another reason to stress out. No matter how much studying and hours of homework you put in, it just doesn’t seem to be enough.
As if classes weren’t enough, there are millions other problems college students face. Your bank account is depressing to look at so you try to get a job, only to find out that getting a job is a lot harder than it looks. There is someone at home, your best friend, parents, or significant other, that you miss terribly and that can take a toll on anyone. The amount of work seems to never end and you’re struggling to find time for a social life, let alone sleep.
Needless to say, at this point in the semester it’s easy to get discouraged and maybe have feelings of inadequacy. You may even be ready to just give up. But I’m here to tell you that it does get better. You will get through this and maintain your sanity along the way.
Take a step back and relax.
It’s okay to take some time for yourself once in a while. Put away the homework, take a day off work, tune out from the world and just have a day for yourself. Sleep all day on a Saturday, do something you love, listen to music, be lazy. In a world that’s constantly rushing around us at top speed, it’s easy to forget that you matter too.
Everything will pay off in the end.
Keep in mind that as hard as everything is right now, it will get better. Soon enough the semester will be over and you’ll have a month to relax for winter break. That class you’ve been struggling in will be over. You’ll get that A you’ve been working so hard for. That raise you’ve been working towards will soon be in your possession. Instead of focusing on everything that’s weighing you down in the present moment, think of the end result and what good things will come to you because of your hard work.
Remember that you are enough.
At some point we all get discouraged we all feel incapable of getting through what we’re going through. At our lowest point, it’s easy to start blaming ourselves. We begin to feel like we’re not doing enough, we need to work harder which turns into a downward spiral of pushing ourselves too hard until we really do give up.
You have to remember that you are good enough. You have the capability to accomplish everything you’re striving towards. Tell yourself that you will make it through everything you’re going through and when you finally get to where you want to be you’ll be able to look back and feel proud of your accomplishments.
