Aristotle once wrote, “Happiness is the meaning of life; the aim and end of human existence.” Yet, for many of us, the mounting pressures of college life in the twenty first century impede our ability to achieve total satisfaction. Whether it is the stress of facing a challenging social transition, competitive job market, tiring workload or otherwise, many students are consumed with just getting through the day, rather than enjoying it.
It is no secret that the college transition is a dramatic one filled with emotional ups and downs. In a recent article for The Journal of the American Medical Association, Rebecca Voelker discusses “the close connections that stress, substance abuse and lack of sleep have with increasing depression among college students”. Furthermore, statistics from a Skidmore College report on college depression indicate that as many as 90% of college students were or had been depressed at college. While many of the stressors involved in college life are an integral part of academia, misery does not need to ensue: if you are able to cut through the noise and listen to what feels right, even the most stressful of days can be turned around just by listening to your inner voice.
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Take a moment to ask yourself, what do you do that makes you happy? Perhaps it is a hobby, such as knitting, writing, or dancing. Maybe you find joy in just sitting and talking with friends, or taking time to relax by yourself. We often make the mistake of reserving these activities for “free time”, when in reality our time is never truly free. Set time aside in your day to do something that brings color to your routine. While it may seem as though the hours of work ahead of you are endless and there just aren’t enough hours in the day, think of what is best for you. While keeping your nose to the grindstone is sometimes necessary, stepping away from it for a moment of two can be just enough to reenergize and invigorate you.
Furthermore, integrating happiness into your daily life doesn’t have to be scheduled in. Thinking about the decisions we consciously and subconsciously make on a daily basis, and considering what will yield the greatest level of happiness, can be just as valuable. For example, ask yourself, do you prefer eating with large groups of people in a busy dining hall, or a quieter meal in the solitude of your room? Do you prefer working through the wee hours of the night, or when the sun is at high noon? While these questions may seem trivial and somewhat obvious, these routine decisions can make all the difference in changing your mood and turning your day around. For a social early bird, waking up and sitting down to breakfast surrounded by friends will get the day moving in the right direction to deal with whatever stress or pressure may come along. The changes you make needn’t be dramatic to have a recognizable impact.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what you are doing so long as you are healthy, happy and setting yourself up for long term success. If you feel as though things aren’t working with your daily routine, take a step back and look at what is working. With a positive attitude and a little common sense, you truly are in control of your own happiness. Cut through the chaos, and make your days work for you.