It’s that time again—the time for midterms, 10-page papers, and major events on campus. Summer is on the horizon, blurred by countless hours of homework and study groups. With so much going on and Spring Break so close but so far away, it can be easy to lose motivation and get lost in the pit of despair. However, stress has been around since the beginning of humanity, and you’re not the only one feeling overwhelmed. To help you push through these maddeningly busy weeks, here are some words of wisdom from writers who know what it means to be busy.
“The more we die, the stronger we will become.” –Azar Nafisi, Reading Lolita in Tehran
Having survived crushingly oppressive and discouraging circumstances, Ms. Nafisi knows what she’s talking about when it comes to overcoming. Though school, work, and clubs may feel like too much, when it’s all over, you’ll be able to handle even more, and you can take pride in the fact that you made it.
“It’s better to look at the sky than live there.” –Truman Capote, Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Quirky and innovative Capote knew a lot about imagination. While daydreaming about the “perfect life” can be a good motivator, you shouldn’t downplay the power of your struggles. You couldn’t appreciate the good without the bad or the relaxing without the stressful. Real life has downfalls, but it’s better than living a fantasy.
“I always deserve the best treatment because I never put up with any other.” –Jane Austen, Emma
Jane Austen, independent woman and author of six incredibly influential novels, understood stress and social pressure. When it seems like the world is resting on your shoulders, it can be easy to belittle yourself and to feel that you’re failing. Demand respect from yourself and from the people around you. If you have your own project due at midnight, then don’t let others guilt you into taking that extra shift at work.
“You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.”
-Maya Angelou, And Still I Rise
Maya Angelou was one of the most powerful and inspirational writers of her time. She took her personal tragedies and used them as fuel for her success, inspiring millions with her words. This attitude of defiance and perseverance should be an example to anyone struggling within their own situation. Times may be tough, but I promise you’re tougher.
The end of the school year is always the hardest, but if you look past the checklist of things you need to get done, you’ll see that there are interesting people to meet and things to learn. College goes by incredibly fast, so appreciate every stress-filled, caffeine-fueled moment of it. When it’s all over, you’ll realize that it was one of the best decisions you ever made, and that you’re pretty awesome too. As A.A Milne, author of Winnie the Pooh, wrote, “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”