Despite the growing belief that college students don't get tired and can handle anything because of our young age we actually do. And I'm not talking physically, I'm talking mentally- which is so much worse. After a long day of studying I've caught myself saying things backwards and criss-crossed. Literally, the simplest things like "I'm going pizza" when I'm actually going to get pizza. It's just our brains way of saying "I can't, I just can't."
Patience is virtue but we don't have it.
For now at least we don't. With lack of sleep patience slowly deteriorates. With extreme stress levels patience deteriorates. With annoying professors who think their class is the only class we have to attend to, our patience simply deteriorates. It's literally gone for the time being. We don't want to wait for anything, we want it now! So give us our order and let us be.
We are HUNGRY!
Stress does it to us. Our on-the-go routines do it to us. Our boredom in class does it to us. College students constantly need food, especially on those weeks that our tests fall consecutively in order of the weekdays. With more work we need more food.
We change our minds.
I can still hear my mother on the phone now when I told her I had changed my major- for the 3rd time. "You did what? What about all of those classes you've already taken? You just wasted my money! I send you to college and you just change your mind like I have money to throw." Luckily all of those classes will count as credits. It's something that happens and parents, you need to get over it. We are finally maturing enough to actually begin thinking about our decisions. So just trust us when we say we've figured it out even if we haven't. It's all apart of the experience.
We have Addictions.
Before you start freaking out, just listen. Our addictions range from Netflix binges to food binges to Pinterest to ball games. And let's not forget about caffeine. Our addictions are different than from those of criminals but no better. We get so wrapped up in these that we put school on hold when we shouldn't. But nonetheless we have them.
We LIVE on Caffeine.
I can't tell you how many times a day I see a cup of iced coffee in one student's hand and a cup of tea in the other, both from Starbucks! We don't get much sleep and when we do we still don't feel like it. Our brain is running constantly at high speeds and we need our bodies to keep up with it. Don't judge us, maybe one day we'll break the habit.
We don't know what to do without school.
Even on breaks between semesters we wake in the middle of night in a cold sweat panting for air realizing we're late for class and even worse, we didn't study for that big exam that's 45% of our grade. It takes us at least 2 minutes to realize we don't even have classes right now and then an extra 10 to slow our heart rate and go back to sleep. It's like we have PTSD or something. And I hear it lasts. (Not a good sign folks!)
We are Sensitive.
Depending on the type of person you are we react differently. Most girls however cry and most men break out in rage. The smallest of things can set it off too. Making an 88 on an exam can make us fall to ground like the world shattering beneath us and throw a childish fit. The Professor makes us stay late after class and we begin to get angry. We have to wait in line at Starbucks and we start having meltdowns. So tip-toe around us- trust me it's better this way.
We forget. We swim and sink and sink and swim in deep waters through and through. We get wrapped up in the future. We get so busy that we don't even think about asking Our Savior for help. We don't remember what he's done for us so far and what he'll continue to do.
So today I challenge you to remember. Remember all of your struggles and who keeps you afloat. Remember who got you here and will get you where you want to be. It's okay to be a college student and to have all of those previous characteristics that will make you stronger later, but we must not forget. " When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you, When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you." Isaiah 43:2
As always, just for you,
M.