“We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.”
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Although these words were written over one hundred and sixty-five years ago, they still ring true. I think it’s still surprising to many of us when we learn that we are judged so quickly by our preceding reputation, rather than by our potential.
For example, for us collegiettes, when we are applying for that all-important job, our resumes are the first impression and the only thing that any potential employer judges you on, and if it doesn’t impress them, you won’t get an interview, and thus a chance to advocate your potential. With that said, the pressure is on for us to perform and gather as many “resume builders” as possible. This adds a lot of stress to us collegiettes to become involved in as many activities and organizations as possible, even if we aren’t passionate or interested in them in the first place.
However, when you take on so much of what you don’t feel a connection to, you are not only short-changing the organization, but yourself. While making yourself look good on paper is an admirable goal to achieve before your enter your future career, it is important to make as many things that are on your resume meaningful. I personally believe that substance should matter more than bulk. Maybe I’m just being naïve, but I’d rather go through life doing well and being passionate about a few things than live life doing so much that it all holds little meaning to me.
It’s all about balance. A cliché statement, of course, but again, like Longfellow’s quote, true. The simplest things are often most difficult, and finding the correct balance between immersed involvement and passive participation that fits your life is one of the most difficult.
But, don’t worry. You can do it. After all, you know your potential and what you’re capable of doing, whether anyone else can see it immediately. And, so long as you know your potential, it’ll be easier to convince others of your aptitude. The point is, get involved, do something fun, but don’t do too much on Spring Break that you’ll regret.