In the perpetual environment of exams, papers, and job pressures, it is easy for a college student to see their surroundings out of perspective. Society has drilled us for the last 18 years that what matters is building a solid foundation to live a so-called successful life. One must do well in high school to get accepted into a good university, perform well in college to get a well-paying job in order to have the means to support a family -- when does it end? What is this ultimate goal we are all relentlessly striving to achieve?
A few decades ago, it was considered outstanding to go to college; now, it is expected. Not only is it an expectation, but also there are now stigmas surrounding the prestige of higher education institutions, and the level of success guaranteed by certain majors. Concentrations in the humanities are often valued less than those in STEM. Internships, graduate school programs and co-ops are additional external pressures faced by college students today.
We have been conditioned to believe that there is a linear path to success, and deviation from that path will lead to certain failure. It is fear of this failure that drags us down in a cloud of self-doubt, anxiety and stress. The ever-looming presence of the future combined with the unstoppable force of time is a toxic combination that generates a college student’s personal version of hell. We are made to believe every slight transgression will have detrimental and irreversible effects later in life -- it is this notion that has led to the plague of anxiety taking over college students all over the nation.
How do we combat this? First, realize that failure is not all bad, and the idea of success is relative. In fact, it is through failures that we truly learn -- what goes wrong allows us to readjust our current schemas and make changes. It is, thus, learning from our failures that has molded us into the individuals we are today. Too often, we idealize individuals’ successes and forget the means through which they arrived at that place. While there is nothing wrong with a conventional path, it is just as acceptable to explore another.
Uncertainty is normal, and change is refreshing. Contrary to what society dictates, it is OK to not have your entire life planned out. In the end, you have to live with the decisions you make, so do not spend your time and efforts contorting your life to someone else’s plans. Most importantly, never hesitate to bet on yourself, and have the courage to forge your own path. Perspective is everything so if you find yours limited, take yourself out of the current situation that is leading to whatever negative emotions being experienced.
Everyone needs a place to clear their minds and escape -- for me, it's the mountains. Standing on top of a peak and looking across at the tiny buildings, cars and people helps me realize that there is so much more to life than the problems I am facing in the moment. It is so important to recognize that the problems that seem so sizable now may be miniscule in the grand scheme of life. This is a great big world with endless paths and opportunities and there is no singular means to reach an end. Ultimately, there is only one thing that truly determines your success -- your perspective.