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The struggle is as real as you make it
TIA
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Kirtland, NM
Year: Freshman
One thing that I promised myself before I came to Fort Lewis College, before I even graduated from high school, was to not procrastinate with my assignments, readings, work obligations, menial tasks and any other daily activity you can imagine. Now, seven weeks into my first year as a college student, I have realized that this goal is easier said than done.
One would imagine that I might have settled into an all-too-familiar daily routine of a usual 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. schedule consisting of attending classes, study time, free time and extracurricular activities by now, correct? Actually, that answer is completely and entirely wrong. My typical day is roughly made up of about 30% free time, 5% eating, 20% doing homework, 25% extracurricular activities (intramural sports, volunteer work, work study, etc.), and 20% of my time is going to class. Based on these numbers I have discovered that my biggest challenge I am faced with is finding the motivation to be the productive, studious and organized student that I promised my younger self I would be.
Although Fort Lewis is a fairly small campus, the people that you meet are like no other. The sense of community that everyone brings to the table is a blessing and a burden. I say this because I have experienced the reward of finding close friends who I forfeit my sleep for just to squeeze in a few more laughs before we all return to our rooms; on the other hand the close-knit and cordial atmosphere distracts you from focusing on the actual reason for being at the Fort: school. There is no doubt that fun is one of the most sought out activities on campus and sometimes, I don’t even feel like I am at school because the amount of time that I spend on my own and with friends is ridiculously fun.
Now I don’t mean to sound like those guidance counselors, adults, teachers and parents of friends who preached about the importance of prioritizing school and family above all else. Although I will emphasize how right they were about choosing friends that share the same values as you. My closest friends who I have only known for 6 weeks are the reason why my college experience will entertain my children long after we have all gone our separate ways.
Occasionally I tend to remind myself that I have a purpose to fulfill even though the temptation to have a little more fun pushes its way from the back of my mind and transforms into eventual action. Although these thoughts are more frequent than I would prefer, I find comfort in the fact that I am not alone in this struggle. In actuality, no one is ever completely alone in his or her personal struggles. The key to succeeding in college, in my opinion, is finding people just like you who are fighting similar battles…and who encourage you to study more often.