I sit here at 11:55 p.m. on a Tuesday night, my busiest day of the week. After class, I've got 90 things piled on top of my already overflowing to-do list and I was at my breaking point yet again. All I can do in moments like this is think of what my Mom always tells me.
I began this school year really strong. I was away from people who had hurt me, I was friends with great people, my life seemed all together, or so it seemed. But as the semester went on, I slowly felt like I was drowning.
In this case, it was in my homework. Not even homework, more like studying and keeping up with everything. It’s tough to balance school, a social life, and sleep. One of them would be suffering at any given time. But like my mom always says to me, “take it one task at a time.”
And that’s what I did.
For about a week, I had honestly given up on my ability to succeed in school. I knew my family, my friends, and my boyfriend all understood that I’m busy and they stick with me regardless. The question was: could I stick with myself through it?
I finished last year with a great GPA, on the Dean’s List (something I strived for since I started college), and feeling good about this year. I waited and put off my last gen ed until this year because I heard it was extremely hard. I thought going into it that I would be able to do this. 12 credits, easy right?
Well, that’s what some people think. Some people look down on me for only taking the minimum credit hours. But in reality, I’m doing better and it might take me a little longer and I’m not at all ashamed of that. I’ve had people tell me that my life should be a breeze and that school should be super easy. Well, they don’t have the same professors as me, the same work ethic as me, the same schedule as me, the same job as me, and they’re not the same person I am. So, we’re going to have different experiences in school and in life.
Never let someone shame you for taking longer and trying to keep yourself sane in the process. Not everyone is going to take four years. Think about it…would you rather rush through college and have a low GPA just to finish in four years or would you rather take it slower and do better? Up to you. And yes, not all people have a low GPA who finish in four years, I’m just saying.
Long story short, don’t give up on yourself! You are stronger than you might think. Hard classes will push you to your breaking point. Work will make you mad. Friends will upset you. Your life won’t always be perfect.
I’m a perfectionist. Over the years, I’ve realized that I am not perfect and nothing I do will be perfect, so I’ve become more of a go-with-the-flow type. I don’t think too far ahead. I don’t look too far back. I try to stay focused on the task in front of me.
I remember her every day, “one task at a time.”
That’s all you can do. Nothing has to be 100 percent. Do your best to the best of your ability and you will be on the right track.
