"Oh my gosh, Stacy. I have a 10-page paper due tomorrow at midnight, and I haven't even started it yet. The struggle is so real," says an aggravated Jen. She rolls her eyes and, completely unmotivated, shoves her laptop and books into her backpack. "Guess I better hit the lib."
"Oh, I feel you, Jen. I feel you," replies Stacy, shaking her head. "This morning I had a pop quiz in Historical Perspectives. I wasn't expecting it at all. On top of that, I have to read almost 100 pages before tomorrow! The struggle, girl. The struggle."
Is it stereotypical and a bit cliche? Yes, I'll admit it. It is, but I'm trying to make a point. As college students, we've been there. I'm sure we can all relate because something along those lines has happened to each of us. Even if you're not in college, I'm pretty sure you either remember the so-called struggle or maybe you're dealing with similar things in the workplace. Because the struggle, as usual, is real.
Us college children just have so much to complain about. We're poor because we have to take out loans and pay for things we've never really had to pay for before: food, clothes, school and did I say food? We're tired because we have 8 a.m.'s and missed our morning dose of espresso. Sleep is a luxury, and so is a good, home-cooked meal. We're swamped with reading and papers. Oh, yeah. #thestruggleissoreal
Now, I'm not trying to slam the college populous. I, too, am a college student. I'm tired from my 8 a.m.'s and lack of morning coffee, and I get overwhelmed by assignments. I've even been in the midst of anxiety and possibly even depression. I worry about my money too. I'm just like the rest of you. But I think we can approach this "struggle" from a different perspective. Because when one thinks of #firstworldproblems, they're not really that big of problems, are they?
Sure, we have lots of papers and homework, but at least we have the opportunity to study at a university — and study something we love, at that! Maybe the cafeteria isn't the best food, but at least we have access to a seemingly endless supply of food for us to eat. Where else does the freshman 15 come from? We have beautiful campuses, wonderful teachers and staff that are there to help us succeed, and endless opportunity.
Those of us who have the ability to attend a university must be thankful for what we have. Even if we're swamped with loans, we must look at the bright side, for those loans are what are helping us work toward our purpose, even if we have tons of homework and temporarily forget what fun is. But we must never forget how blessed we are to be in the face of opportunity. There are children everywhere around the world who don't have access to the tools they need to obtain a higher education. There are so many who would give everything for the privileges we gain with such ease. We should be thankful for what we have.
