EDITORIAL: Give yourself credit for overcoming the obstacles of an uncertain world

This could be a lot to take in.

What were supposed to be the best years of our life have turned into a time of existential dread, with each day bearing bad news of the new world that we will have to live in. 

Many of us have missed pinnacle parts of our teenage years due to COVID-19, and now with new viruses on the rise, some parts of our college experience are now at risk.

Still being able to put one foot in front of the other and get out the door is a major accomplishment. Stepping onto Elmhurst University’s campus, you have already shown that you have found your strength and are ready to start a new challenge.

While you may not have been thinking of the positives during this time, there has been some good that has happened, and you may not have even recognized it.

Being able to adapt quickly is a skill that all of us have acquired. When the world went online, we quickly learned how to navigate it for the time being. Now, when something happens, it can be easy to think of quick solutions in order to make sure that a goal can be achieved. 

At the time, it seemed as if we weren’t learning anything new, we were just trying to pass the class without much thought. Due to this, some of us have lost motivation to do good in school entirely.

Now, as a college student, it is your time to gain that motivation back. Too much of your money is being spent on this. 

Creating a schedule is the easiest way to help gain control and know when you should be putting in the work. Setting aside time during each day can help you get back into the habit of doing schoolwork. 

In class, make sure you are actively engaging in the material at hand. Whether it is a lecture-based class or an online course, it is important that you are paying attention and are not just skating by.

College is truly what you make of it. While it may be hard to get out of the old habits we created, if you do not do so, then this experience will feel like a waste of time. 

This is your time to reinvent yourself, try something new, and break free of the life you have been living. You have the ability to do quite literally anything, from changing your hairstyle to getting a tattoo. With your new ability to adapt, you can once again find the motivation in yourself to make your time in college worth it.

You are capable of more than you think you are. Take this time to broaden your horizons, overcome all the obstacles, and grow as an individual. 

While you may be frustrated with the challenges of coming back to school, it is important to remember that nothing will ever be perfect the first time you do it.

It will be a long journey, but giving yourself the time and patience you need will benefit you. If you are hard on yourself, it will do you a disservice.

Take care of yourself, know when you need a break, and make sure that you have patience with yourself. We have been through too much to let the little things affect us, give yourself credit for your journey, and how far you have made it.