Can you believe that it’s the end of the school year? I know that I sure can’t! I don’t think I only speak for myself when I say that I didn’t think I would make it to the end. After much reflection on the events that occurred this year, I have come to the conclusion that… wait for it… college is hard! Each and every day our mental health, physical well being, academic success, and social lives are tested. We’re being stressed to the point where our eyes hurt and we can’t even see the screen of our computers, or we’ve injured our legs during practice, or we’re constantly worried that we might fail a class that we put so much effort into, or we’re dealing with issues that relate to our families. Or a combination of all four scenarios. In college, you’re always working and pushing yourself to the extremes with each and every task. And the worst part is that you don’t have time to stop. You have to keep going because as soon as you stop, you’re behind. To most students, it’s better to be in pain than behind.
However, I will say that college is manageable. Although it’s difficult and makes you question sometimes if it’s worth to keep going, you do see results. Because you have support systems. You have people who have been through what you have, and expertise in the realm in which your problems reside. You should never feel alone because you aren’t. When it comes to mental health issues, you can go to CAPS and speak to a counselor, or you can plan self-care activities with your friends, like face-masking or exercising. For physical health, you can talk to a trainer and rely on your friends to handle day-to-day issues. For academics, attend office hours and show your professor that you actively are seeking out help for the class. We are lucky at this college to have professors who genuinely care about the student’s well-being. For a social life, seek out support from friends so you can feel understood. It’s the support systems that we form in college that makes it all easier. I thank my friends every day for always being there for me, and I thank this school for realizing how difficult college can be and for offering spaces where students can get help.
So as the school year ends, remember how hard it can be, but also remember that you made it. And not only that but that you made it with the help of people who love and care about you. So celebrate them and yourself for completing another year.