This past President’s Day weekend, I was lucky enough to embark on a school-sponsored trip with my best friends to compete in an acapella competition in Los Angeles. From hiking to see the Hollywood sign to spotting dolphins at Manhattan Beach, escaping the bubble of a winter-stricken BU campus reminded me how much I had to be grateful for.
My acapella group on campus, the BU Treblemakers, was selected to perform a showcase at the Los Angeles A Cappella Festival (LAAF) a few months ago. After all the nights spent planning and anticipating, the moment had finally arrived.
Stepping outside the airport at LAX and breathing in the warm, fresh air, I realized how trapped I had become in university. Because college life meant that the physical barrier between school and home disappeared, I struggled with differentiating the two lives, working constantly without a break.
I wasn’t alone. I shared these thoughts with my group mates, who agreed that we had been overworking ourselves by getting stuck in the BU bubble.
So, we spent our three days together making the most of every moment, which was something I had been forgetting to do. From late-night In-n-Out runs, jumping into the freezing-cold ocean, and performing on stage with my talented teammates, the trip was such a revitalizing experience where I got to foster friendships that will last a lifetime.
But what’s the point of my story, you may ask? In the end, coming back to BU and reflecting on my trip, I truly see how easy it is to fall into the everyday routine of college. Yes, we have the stress of exams, classes, homework, club events, and more, but that doesn’t mean we should let ourselves forget to appreciate the beauty in the little things.
And you don’t have to fly across the country to do it, either. Whether it’s taking a coffee break with your friend or walking down to the Esplanade one morning, maintaining a work-life balance will make every second of this experience all the more memorable.
Here’s your reminder to take a breath and appreciate the moment you have been gifted right now!
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