Students blog

If your life is anything like mine, your plans over the last few months changed a lot. Maybe your vacation was cancelled or maybe your internship was moved online. And now that many colleges will be starting Fall 2020 classes either partially or fully on-line, these next few months are going to look different than we had originally planned. But maybe in these new circumstances, we’ll find new opportunities. I think that we have the potential to make this time some of our best moments yet. Zig Ziglar once said, “Time can be an ally or an enemy. What it becomes depends entirely upon you, your goals, and your determination to use every available minute.” These months can become fulfilling and meaningful if you dream big and set goals. 

Here are some tips on setting goals:

• Start by taking time to think about what you’d like this time to look like. When all is said and done and next year has come around, how will you remember this year? How do you want to use this time? Create a big picture vision statement.
• Next, take your big picture and break it down into smaller goals. Then, think about the steps that you can take to accomplish these goals. There’s a French proverb that goes, “Little by little, the bird builds its nest.” The key to achieving big things is by taking them one small step at a time. You reach the summit of a mountain by starting at the bottom.
• Reward yourself for each step you take, but don’t lose your motivation. Whenever the small steps feel meaningless, remember your reason for walking.

Ready to set some goals? The best thing about goals is that they can be whatever you want them to be! They only need to be things that matter to you. Does the move to online classes open up time in your schedule to pursue new opportunities or gather new skills? Can you find different ways to relax and cultivate contentment? There are many meaningful options, but the goals that you care about are the ones that you will be willing to invest time in. Choose goals that reflect your best self. Are you ready to start working on your best year yet? Now is the best time to begin!

“I’m just feeling so…STUCK!” I vented to my best friend (through a text message, of course). Within 4 days, COVID-19 had wrecked my plans for at least the next couple of months.

Now, I’m isolated from my friends and school community, while managing the burden of 15 hours of online classes and worrying about a global virus. You probably know exactly how that feels; everyone is in a similar boat right now. It’s enough to drive anyone crazy. But the good news is that we’re not alone and there are ways to make this more bearable. 

So how do you stop feeling like COVID-19 is holding you hostage? Here are four things that have helped me: 

(1) Breathe. Take a moment to let yourself pause. Set aside dedicated time to stop and rest. I’ve started doing yoga and having self-reflection each day. Having time that is intentionally set aside to be a quiet moment is important to regaining balance in an unbalanced time. 

(2) Try something you’ve never had time for. Develop new interests! Even if you don’t pursue them further, it’s a way for you to gain new experiences while you stay inside. I’ve begun learning a second language, developing new chess strategies and trying new recipes. If you feel like giving something a shot, go for it! What do you have to lose?

(3) Get creative. Take time to express your feelings. Whether that’s journaling, painting, or making music, be sure to acknowledge what you are feeling. It’s okay to be experiencing worry and sadness. Instead of just trying to move past them, allow yourself to express them in a creative way. 

(4) Celebrate the little victories. No matter how you’re feeling, you are doing well simply by choosing to persevere. This is an unprecedented time of change, and you are moving through it in the best way you know how. Celebrate the little things you accomplish; whether it’s getting out of bed in the morning or taking a final exam. You deserve a chance to recognize the good things you’ve done. A little celebration can look however you want it to. Maybe it’s making brownies. Maybe it’s watching your favorite show. As long as it brings you joy, go for it! You deserve it.