Finding meaning and direction in College can be a struggle for a college student. Being a college student comes with many academic, emotional, and mental responsibilities, and so much more. Discovering meaning in college Life can be an avenue toward personal development and self-discovery. It allows college students to explore their interests, values, and passions. Students can better understand who they are and what they value.
Comparison Is The Thief Of Joy
Comparing yourself to a college student can definitely be a thief of joy. The saying “Comparison is the thief of joy” is accurate. You lose sight of yourself when you’re caught up in a comparison mindset. Being a college student can be mentally taxing, and it can be so challenging not to compare your successes whether it be academically or personally. Trying your best to train your brain to focus on the good things about yourself, celebrating the small accomplishments, finding things that make you happy, and also sometimes stepping outside of your comfort zone allows you mentally to be in a better space to the point where you won’t notice comparisons and will find yourself more fixated on your journey.
Your Journey Is YOUR Journey, Whatever Is Meant For You Will Be For You
To piggyback off the saying “Comparison is the thief of joy” which is true, it also feeds into comparing your journey to others. Always remember that your journey is yours and only yours. It can be so easy to get caught up in everyone else’s journey and what they have going on to the point where you get lost in what your purpose might be. This can be a hard space to come out of when you compare your journey to others. But keep in mind that whatever is for you will always be for you. Sometimes, a job, friendship, or relationship isn’t right for you but is perfect for someone else. That does not always indicate you’re not deserving of what someone else has; it just could not have been for you at the time.
You Are The Company You Keep
Surrounding yourself with like-minded people who share your interests can help you grow toward your goals throughout your college years and beyond. When you put yourself in a position to be better than the person you once were, you’ll notice that people who aren’t meant for you or to serve a purpose in your life will fade away, while those who are will either stay or enter your life. When you surround yourself with people who motivate you and want to see you win, you’ll start to notice a shift in your energy and achieve more of your goals. The importance of having a support system is crucial, having a circle of people who motivate you when you’re down.
Get Active On Campus
The benefit of College is that there are many opportunities and things to do on and off campus. From organizations to events, there is usually always something to do. You just have to check your email and stay updated. Being active on campus allows you to meet new people and connect with someone or something that might benefit you throughout your college enrollment. Getting involved on campus can also help you figure out what works for you in numerous areas of life against what doesn’t, which fits into the goal and benefit of figuring out what works best for you and your purpose while honoring it.
Take Time To Yourself & Choose Your Own Path
Moments of solitude are sometimes needed to get back to where you want to be. Learning the importance of self-care and finding techniques that work best for you will eventually put you in a better headspace when it comes to finding yourself when feeling lost. Spirituality looks different for everyone; therefore, someone else’s spiritual practices may not be the path that works for you, but educating yourself on the various areas of spirituality and self-care will help you figure things out within that area. But taking the time you need to rest, whether that be in the form of a mental health day, writing a journal entry, meditating, or even listening to music while walking outside, might best fit you and help you rejuvenate your spirit which all that matters because this is your life and your path. Just because someone else might be elevated to a higher level spiritually and mentally doesn’t mean you can’t get there, but the healing process takes time and isn’t linear, so giving yourself grace will help you the most in those tough times.
Overall, Whatever is meant for you will never surpass you. Being a college student already comes with enough weight. It’s our responsibility to try to handle that weight and lift it off of ourselves when things get hard. Finding whatever path in life that is meant for you can be challenging as long as you stay authentic to yourself and your being. That’s all that matters.