We’ve heard this message time and time again… grandma has preached it, mom has engrained it into our brains, and multiple campaigns have promoted it: high self-esteem is beautiful. But in trying times, it is easy to occasionally let go of this ideal and send our sense of self worth straight into our squirrel-inhabited dumpsters.
Being in such a competitive environment (cough, cough William and Mary) where it is easy to feel inferior academically, socially, or otherwise, can especially take its toll. A test doesn’t go right. You don’t get selected for that position you really wanted. You forget about an assignment that’s worth a good chunk of your grade. Your parents complain that you don’t call them enough. And you just lost your date for formal. Great.
It is so easy to let yourself get into a funk, yet simply striving for a better sense of self is not enough to pull you out of it. This is when you need a plan…a strategy of sorts. A great way to deal with life’s challenges is to focus on the inner qualities that make you feel special, unique, and valuable. In the words of Mr. Malcolm S. Forbes, “Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.”
This is where the idea of beauty through diversity comes in…nobody’s talents and inner qualities are exactly the same. There will always, always be something absolutely fantastic that sets you apart from someone else and no discouraging comments, hard tests, rejections, or just plain ignorant people can take that away from you.
We asked students what qualities about themselves serve as reassurance during hard times:
“I am motivated and will learn from mistakes to do better in the future.” –Alec Lyons
“I’m a great networker…I will always have friends or connections that get me to where I want to be.” –Rachel Boykin
“I stuck with crew, which shows if I can do something as challenging as that, I can do anything.” –Elizabeth Castellanos
“I have a good head on my shoulders” –Bradford Downs
“I have very strong determination and I love my toenails. Those qualities are totally opposite…” –Gabby Hafner
“My supportive family that keeps me motivated.” –Caroline Goh
“My ability to laugh in tough situations and having supportive friends and family.” –Emma Stefanousky