Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you had no idea what to do or where to go? If you haven’t, then you are an android and I bow down to you. However, for the rest of us humans, there are times when we are indecisive, unsure of what the next appropriate action is. Perhaps we have felt overwhelmed at times (which is perfectly normal during senior year). I have felt this way plenty of times, yet I always go back on three pieces of advice that people have imparted to me. I am certainly not the Dalai Lama, nor do I think of myself as wise (although people think I act like a wise-guy), but I figure that these words of wisdom will help you out in difficult times.
First, don’t forget to breathe. It sounds silly, but hear me out. I went through a rough patch this fall. I was feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and worried. I was unsure of my capabilities. My failures and shortcomings started to come to mind more and more and hindered my ability to see what accomplishments I had achieved. I went to talk to one of my professors about all of the things I was stressed and worried about, and she understood. She gave me plenty of advice, but the thing that I took the most out of it all was the simplest. If you are ever feeling overwhelmed or stressed, take a step back and take eight deep breaths. Your body needs oxygen and the lack of it will cause you to become more tense.
Second, learn when to say “no.” As some of you may know, I love to help people out. It is my nature, and I can’t help it. Maybe it was the way I was raised or it’s programmed in me biologically. That’s also part of the reason why I am an RA and a brother of APO. However, I have been told that sometimes I just need to relax and say “no.” For someone like myself, it is incredibly difficult to turn someone away. However when you keep saying “yes,” and giving and giving without taking care of yourself, it becomes damaging. Don’t be afraid to say “no” sometimes, especially when you are not at your best. You will just end up hurting yourself and possibly hurting the ones you are trying to aid.
Finally, just try your best. Whenever I feel overwhelmed and stressed, I call up my parents and tell them my life story. After I go on my tirade, they always tell me that I just need to do my best. Giving it all that you’ve got is really all you’re capable of doing. It doesn’t matter what others think. If you know that you tried your best at your midterm or job interview, that should be rewarding in itself. You can only work to your own abilities, nobody expects you to be Superman.
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