I've learned a million and one things in college.
I have memorized the GPA scale and discovered my limits for alcohol and french fries. I've learned how to budget and support myself financially. I now understand that class attendance matters and professors are always serious about 4000-word papers. I've learned that raw chicken is not going to last three weeks in the fridge, and neither will a gallon of milk. I now know that I suck at trusting people and that even if I say I'm all good, all the time, I'm not.
But if there's one thing that college has taught me, it's the importance of pushing myself - to succeed, to get out of my comfort zone, and to ditch my fears and just pursue my dreams.
I think that pushing ourselves is the biggest problem with our generation. We don't know how to get motivated, nor do we have any desire to do so. We are content in our little personal bubbles, and we are happy to know the same five people and follow the same routine day in and day out. We hate working hard and would rather drink our sorrows away instead of jumping up and bettering ourselves.
Bettering ourselves. Do we even do that these days? I know I didn't; in fact, most days I still struggle to do it. I've become too comfortable with binge-watching Netflix, staying up until 3 a.m., and doing a half-ass job on my homework because I waited until the last second.
I sit outside the gym for at least 10 minutes before going in because I have no desire to exercise and better my health. I Uber to class because walking in the rain sucks and I'm too afraid that I'll crash my moped again. I refuse to face my fears and emotions, even though facing them is the number one thing I should be doing.
Why? Why is our generation like this? Why am I like this?
I don't have an answer for that, but I do know that I am learning to push myself to be a better person. To love when I don't feel loved back. To give when I know I won't receive anything in return. To be okay with being upset sometimes. To accept who I am and the countless goals I have for myself. It might make me the odd one out, but in the end, who will come out on top?
The one who didn't get drunk on the weekend will. The one who did homework instead of watching football will. The one who turned the car off and walked into the gym will. The one who pushed and pushed to stay motivated and succeed will.
I will.
We will get nowhere in life by just doing the things we are comfortable with. Bettering ourselves is a mindset, a choice, a lifestyle, and I'm determined to be the best that I can be in every aspect of my life.