The girl with so much on her plate maybe isn’t satisfied with herself. College is supposed to be a time in your life with so many fond memories. For me, I had to grow up fast and focus on my professional schooling. There is no guideline on how to do it. How to do the “college experience” right: Get good grades. Join organizations. Take on leadership positions. Build your resume. Be a competitive candidate. Make time for your friends. Exercise. Eat healthy. Get enough sleep. Find an internship. Plan your future. Maintain a social life. And somehow look like you have it all together while doing it. The expectations never really seem to stop. Trying to be that person can become exhausting – and I am.
At times, my involvement can feel more like a checklist. Getting involved can be one of the best parts of the experience. Organizations, leadership positions, athletics, jobs, and other opportunities can introduce us to some of our closest friends and help us figure out who we want to become.
The problem comes when we stop asking, “Do I actually enjoy this?” and start asking, “Will this look good on my resume?”
Suddenly, it feels like we need another leadership position, another volunteer experience, another achievement, or another thing to add to LinkedIn. There is always someone who seems to be doing more, which can make everything we are already doing feel like it isn’t enough. I blame social media for this.
Being involved is valuable, but so is having enough time to enjoy the things you chose to be part of.
Academic pressure is probably one of the most obvious parts of college. A bad exam grade can somehow make you question your intelligence, your career choice, and your entire future within about five minutes. I remember thinking I wasn’t a good fit for Pharmacy school, crying on my freshman dorm room floor. I wish I could hug that girl and tell her what she’s accomplished in just three years.
But grades are only one piece of the pressure.
Circling back to social media, we also see people posting internships, acceptance letters, leadership positions, relationships, vacations, gym progress, nights out with friends, and graduation announcements. Even when we know social media is a highlight reel, it is hard not to compare our everyday lives to someone else’s best moments. Comparison has a way of moving the finish line.
One of the hardest things I am learning in professional schooling is that balance does not always mean giving every part of your life equal attention. Some weeks, school needs more of you. Other weeks, your friendships, family, job, organization, or simply your own well-being might need more. There will be nights when studying is more important than going out. There will also be times when closing your laptop and spending an hour with your friends is exactly what you need.
You are allowed to prioritize.
You are allowed to say no.
You are allowed to rest without earning it first.
You are allowed to change what matters most to you as you grow.
Most importantly, you are allowed to speak up and ask for help.