Earlier this semester, my professor was discussing being a nun in Japanese culture. While he lectured, my mind went on a tangent, and I legitimately considered ceasing my studies to live a life of nunnery. Leaving mainstream life was really appealling until I considered everything else that came with living in a monastery.
So yeah, I’m still here, but if you’ve ever considered running away from college to become a nun or pursue another unconventional career, then you know the struggle. But that is not what college should be for us.
Yes, this is the time to establish a career, but also, these are the days we enjoy being young and sometimes dumb. It’s the time we make mistakes and sometimes avoid the road less traveled. If, at any point, the importance of success becomes so much of a burden that you put enjoying life on the back burner, then remember these 5 things and TREAT YO’SELF.
1. It’s OK to take a nap.
Many times I argue with myself on whether or not I should take a nap. My justification for not napping is that if I start my work early then maybe I can get to bed earlier than normal. We know that never happens. Might as well take that nap and do the work when you wake up because nap or no nap, you will not go to bed early.
2. Don’t pause Netflix. Watch one more episode.
Who cares if you’ve watched two seasons in two days? Sometimes your mind needs to escape Oxford. Your homework isn’t going anywhere. Don’t think of Netflix as a waste of time but as a way of life. Watch your Netflix and do homework at the same time. Why does there have to be an ultimatum?
3. Go out on a weekday at least once.
Maybe this is just me, but I have the most difficult time enjoying myself when I know I have work to do. So, I always tell myself not to do something because I can be using this time to “be more productive.” Productivity is subjective. Be productive towards your happiness and go out. At least once a week, treat yourself to something that you love to do not have to do.
4. Step outside of your comfort zone.
Go talk to that guy who seems unapproachable. Take your headphones out when walking to class, and speak to people. Apply for the unthinkable positions and scholarships so you can achieve the impossible. Make friends with people who don’t fit your typical social group.
5. Sit on the floor and cry.
Trying to hold everything together when school is wearing you out is overwhelming. Just like those four years of high school are a distant memory, college will be one, too. Do not allow the stress of school to pile up inside of you because soon and very soon, you will no longer be in those classes. A new semester will present new worries, and before you know it, you’ll be stressing about your boss or adult stuff. So, just sit on the floor and cry your frustration out. And when you are done, get up and resume Netflix.
We spend so much time worrying about our future that we forget that there is today. Yeah, it’s important to work towards your goals and to be focused; however, we should never be so focused that we forget to enjoy and live for the moment. It’s okay to not have your future figured out and screw up (a little). That’s what being young is for, so remember to TREAT YO’SELF to trips, naps, Netflix and tears.
Rachel Granger is a junior international studies major from Pearl.
