Okay, yes, grades, doing the best you can, and pursuing a career is all very great and important, but when we’re in university, we often completely lose track of things that actually matter. What are those things? Here are just a few of them:
Exploration
I didn’t limit this to traveling because, let’s face it, students are struggling money-wise. It’s not always possible to take that trip to Europe or to swim in the Caribbean (though if you can, it’s worth it). Find new hiking trails or parks in your city. Go to the new cafe or bar that everyone’s talking about. Change things up in your room a little bit. Change your scenery and you’ll find a new aura in it. Finding yourself in new places means finding yourself. You can’t grow or learn new things if you don’t change things about your life. Explore yourself and explore your surroundings.
Learning things that have absolutely nothing to do with your degree
Lifelong learning is better than any degree you will get. Having a well-rounded education is better than being the best at one thing. If you have an elective, take something that has nothing to do with what you’re learning simply, because you’re interested in it. It could randomly help you out one day. In your spare time, learn to cook better, to dance in a way that isn’t embarrassing, to write beautiful calligraphy, or to play a new instrument. Life isn’t just about the degree you’re in or the program you’re taking. There is so much more that the world can offer you. Take advantage of it.
Sunsets and sunrises
I didn’t add this point to sound all romantic or anything. This is to do with grounding yourself and conceptualizing time. We often just wake up, do a bunch of school work, maybe eat some meals, go to lectures, catch up with friends at coffee, and then go back to bed. We always count down the hours of the day – “I have three hours to get this assignment done then I can study for another two before I have to do this other thing…” – why not try to appreciate time a bit more? Appreciate that a new day always comes and that the sunset is not the end of a day but the beginning of an evening (in winter, at least).
Appreciating the things you already have
Maybe it’s the consumerist culture we’re in or the way university propels us to want more out of life, but we often forget about the things we already have. Don’t just sit there and count your blessings – “Electricity, friends, food…” – I mean, do that, but don’t just do that. Sit there and listen to your favourite band with your eyes closed. Feel the music. When you make food, make some for another person and sit together. Actually enjoy both the food and the company. If you have a talent or a skill, use it to the best of your ability. Things can’t be truly appreciated until they’re put to good use.
Having a Sense of Self
It takes a lifetime to actually really know yourself – and even then, I wonder if people still have questions for themselves in their last few years. But relatively knowing yourself is a very intimate and grounding experience. If you know who you are, you won’t let yourself be pushed around by others. You will have more motivation to follow your dreams. You will be happier. If you go through life always just letting things happen to you, you might lose yourself. Know who you are. Know what you want. It might mean taking some time away from social media or (more extremely) a change of friends. Refer to my first point. At the end of the day, you’re all you’ve got. Make sure you like that person.