by Crystal Kim
Being a senior brings a bounty of wonderful things. You have an extra flounce in your step and a radiant glow that beams confidence into every crevice of the universe. When you raise your hand in seminar to answer that question about Platonic schema, you say your half-formed contradictory answer as if it were as logical and clear as 2+2=4. You maintain a confident demeanor even when your professor throws a scrunched questioning face back. She’s the one who doesn’t understand your genius.
But, lest you forget, there is an impending doom that your deep subconscious recognizes. A miniature black vortex hangs above you wherever you go, whispering sweet reminders of rising unemployment in the arts and humanities. This has convinced you that you must do everything that comes your way and seek out new opportunities to bulk up your resume.
Maybe now you find yourself insanely overcommitted. But hey! You’re blissfully overcommitted. This brings me to an important point that should accompany any discussion concerning overexerting your time and energy. Self-Care. You have to remember to take care of yourself or else all of those resume-padding extracurriculars will crumble to pieces. No one hires someone who joined Model UN and then quit Model UN in the span of two weeks. Here’s a roundup of small steps you can take to make sure you keep doing great things.
- Compliment Yourself – Replace “I” with “Queen” whenever you speak. And end your sentences with “You’re very welcome.”
- Friend: “Hey! You want to catch a bite in an hour?”
- You: “Queen would love to have lunch. You’re very welcome.”
- Look For Easy Answers – You’re in front of the baked goods section in the Blue Room faced with a math problem. Solution: Ask for TWO chocolate croissants, not just one. You deserve a break and the chocolate covered road is the right path to take.
- Get Outside Your Comfort Zone – If you’re like me and afraid to initiate human connection at times, it’s time to realize that caring for others teaches you how to care for yourself. Indulge in passing interactions with friends. Maybe even introduce yourself to that person you literally see every day on campus. It makes those daily eye contact moments a hell of a lot less stressful. Consider proposing marriage to your Ratty crush. Wouldn’t it be nice to leave college with a life partner?
- Unplug For A Bit – Winter tends to shove Fall out of the way pretty quickly and violently around this time of year. So enjoy that fall weather before you find yourself dragging your feet through the snow. India Point Park is lovely this time of year. Go lie face down on the grass and think about the vastness of the universe and the relative insignificance of a college degree compared to the expanse of the cosmos.
- Take a little time to do something that makes you happy! – Whether it’s watching an old Bette Davis film with a nice glass of bourbon, reading the Sunday paper while sipping a hot cappuccino or watching How to Get Away With Murder with a plastic handle of vodka (note the formula: entertainment of choice + beverage of choice), set aside that time in the week to do it! Your endorphins will flood in and charge you up for the week ahead.
Above all, cut it out if it’s negative. Whether it’s an activity, a friend, or a class you honestly don’t enjoy, walk away from it. You’re an important person who needs time to do important things to keep you sparkly and magnificent!
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