I think I can speak on behalf of all college students when I say we've all been there. We've all struggled, tried, failed, and somehow managed to make complete idiots out of ourselves. As hard as I try to figure out why I think I'm learning that life rarely makes sense and that's okay. So, for anyone with dumb luck, just remember, it's what makes you amazing. Here's why.
Your life is far from boring: Being a person who continually finds themselves in less than ideal situations, you always manage to find some way to cope. That coping method is usually through a series of innocent mistakes that make for fun stories later on. For example, a normal day at school turns into you having to call campus security because you locked your keys in your trunk, only to realize that in the half hour it took for one security guard and a kind stranger to help you break into your car, the keys were in your backpack the entire time. We’ve all been there, right? Well, at least, I have.
People find it easy to relate to you: You don’t know what it is about you that draws other people in. Maybe it’s the smile you always wear, maybe it’s your laugh, or maybe it’s the fact that seeing you drop all of your books, trip in a hole outside, or spill coffee during class makes people realize that you're as approachable as a golden retriever puppy. You are the type of person that when people see you, they think, “This girl gets it. She’s been there.”
You are authentic: You are purely you because you could not live any other way. Think about it, most people spend so much time trying to mask the fact that they’re not perfect. You, on the other hand, have happily embraced whatever life throws at you. Whether you’re about to tweet about how great life is and you drop your phone in the toilet or you show up late to class with the wrong book, or you just have those days, weeks, or even semesters when you can’t get it together, you know that through it all, you’re being yourself.
Your friends love you for you: Since you have no time to dedicate to perfecting or changing yourself to fit anyone’s expectations, it gives you more time to focus on what’s important; meaningful and honest friendships. You have allowed those closest to you to see you for what you truly are, and for some odd reason, they love you anyway. These are the people worth having in your life, the people you can only find once you let go trying to do everything the right way, trying to be so together all of the time, and just start living your life.
You are not afraid of failure: Making mistakes seem to be your specialty and sometimes it feels like no matter how hard you try, you will never be anything but a screw-up. During these times, remember that you are not the only one who has ever had self-doubt. Try to push these thoughts aside and refocus on what it is you really want and go for it, even if it feels impossible or silly.
You are confident: You are the type of person who knows what they want, you understand that life will get in the way, but you also know that you’re capable and strong enough to deal with anything.
Lifting others up is one of your greatest joys: Happiness is a lifelong goal of many and being able to find that happiness in the smile of another is one of the greatest blessings in this life.
While you may be the type of person to lift everyone up with your carefully detailed stories of everyday disasters, know that for someone you’ve made a difference. Sure, your stories of dumb luck, clumsiness, and miscommunications might seem like some sort of disadvantage or a huge character flaw; but you can’t see what it does for others. You might be the person that never says the right thing, or the person that is honest to a fault, or the person who just makes people laugh, but know that you have been lucky. You have been lucky enough to have experienced the life that makes you funny, kind, and understanding. So, whenever you find yourself suffering through one of the inevitable trials that come with this life, know that you are more than able to conquer it.
Best of Luck,
Hannah
