College can be an incredibly tumultuous time for people, filled with high highs and low lows. The school year can be so stressful. Between homework, studying for tests, working, going to class, and having a social life; it is hard to remain sane. Although it is important to keep your grades up and remain diligent, you also have to keep your mental and emotional well-being in check. This is way easier said, than done.
As a student, you have a million things you are worried about constantly on your mind.
“How am I going to get all this work done?”
“I need to do well on this test.”
“I need to find an internship.”
“I don’t have enough time.”
“How am I going to pay off all this debt?”
“How am I going to get a job after this?”
“What kind of job do I even want?”
“Who even am I anymore?”
Questions with uncertain answers swirl around in our brains day in and day out. It is so easy to get overwhelmed with it all. I, myself, get overwhelmed with all these thoughts quite often.
What helps me is to focus on the little wins. And to see the value in them. You got out of bed today? Win. You made it to class? Win. You got that assignment done? Win. You are always doing better than you think you are. If you pay attention to all your little wins throughout the day, it is easier to deal with the losses when they happen. And they will happen. And you will fixate on them. You are going to feel the loss way more intensely than the win. So, that being said, each little win needs to count. You need them to stay strong. You need at least 5 little wins for every loss. They are your backup. They are your soldiers marching behind you. Trust me, this works. You do the best you can. And when you know better, you do better.
So take the losses and convert them into something positive. If you fail a test or miss an assignment or even get into a fight with your significant other, you cannot let it ruin you. Don’t get me wrong, if you fail a test you could have passed then you should take a minute to feel that pain. Accept what is done and what you cannot change. Learn from your mistakes and use your little wins to come back stronger. From the words of Big Sean, “last night I took and L, but tonight I bounce back.”
Bounce back. Be resilient. This world is going to knock you down, beat you up, drag you out and then do it all again the next day. It is up to you whether you stay down or get back up. People who get back up over and over again gain more strength each time they rise. Making it harder for them to be knocked down the next time something negative happens. Tough times never last. But tough people do. Take the losses, remember the wins, and embrace your come up.
Meet Christina Hess Al-Junaid
She knows a little something about valuing the little wins.
Please Note: The views of our student bloggers do not necessarily reflect the views of the UAlbany Advisement Services Center. These are their stories – their voices.
About the Author:
Heather M.
Class of 2018
Major: Communication
Minor: Psychology
Blog Theme:
One Life’s Potential
UAlbany Project MyStory 
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