This is What I’ve Learned from University
By Rachel
While we learn an astonishing amount of material in classrooms, my time at university has also unexpectedly taught me more than I bargained for about life. Thanks to the many experiences I’ve had and the people that I’ve met throughout my five years here at the U of A, I can thankfully say that my degree has come with much more than a scholarly education. Here are just a few of the life lessons I’ve learned along the way:
Social media is complicated, and what you see isn’t reality
The true reality is: if you’re happy about something and you’ve told those you love about it, there’s little reason to post it on social media. It is difficult to remain impartial when representations of perceived perfection are ubiquitous the second you unlock your phone. Remind yourself that these images have been filtered (both metaphorically and literally) to show a tiny glimpse of the truth. Living life is better that witnessing it; being thankful in the moment provides more inescapable happiness than capturing it through your phone.
Everyone is trying their best
We shouldn’t have to work to earn someone’s respect, it should be given until proven otherwise. Everyone carries their own stories, their own hearts, their own hopes and dreams, and their own pain. Everyone has lost someone close to them. Everyone has been through moments of pure ecstasy and heartbreaking pain. You never know what someone is facing; don’t make them face a harsh version of yourself.
A little empathy can change the world
Empathy involves grounding yourself next to someone and seeing, feeling, witnessing their experiences. I have found empathy to be the cure to most negative human interaction. You cannot begin to know, appreciate and respect someone unless you are willing to understand where they have been and where they are coming from. Take a second to think about this before you start typing or speaking.
Respect your body
Despite the Internet glorifying Netflix and inactivity, your body is what allows you to live your life. Give it what it needs. If you’re lucky, your efforts will be invisible and you won’t notice your body — which means that everything’s fine. Do not take what is automatically given to you for granted.
Appreciate those around you
We are social creatures that live for each other, but it’s often easy to get annoyed by people’s actions or to misread a text. Take as many moments as you can to appreciate those you love. Spend time withthem instead of money onthem. Make time for them in your life, even when it seems like you don’t have any.
If something or someone is taking more than it is giving, it’s time to let it go
This works with people, places, jobs, events — anything. If you find it is sucking more life out of you than it is giving you a reason to get up in the morning, that’s a good sign it’s time to move on. And if you’re questioning whether you should leave, it probably means you should. Be kind to yourself and have the courage to leave something if it is no longer making you happy. Do not let the fear of the unknown keep you from experiencing something wonderful.
Everyone is busy — people make time for the things they care about
The most common excuse in modern Western culture is “I’m too busy.” If you’re hearing this more often than anything else, then it means you are low on a list of priorities. If people want to make time for you, they will. It’s as simple as that.
Judging others only sets you backwards
Your judgement on someone else is a welcome invitation for others to judge you. What do your words say about you? Why do you think you say or think them in the first place?
Not everyone is going to like you or be on your side — and that’s okay
You can’t change how people initially think about you, or if or how they judge you, but you have control over your own actions. Don’t let their reactions affect you — if anything, let them make you stronger in your convictions.
Making big life decisions for yourself is one of the best things you can do
In other words, do not reroute your life to make someone else happy. You’ll be left forever wondering “what if?” and if there’s one thing that can drive you crazy, it’s the question of “what if?” If you’re torn between options, find out what makes you the happiest, and do everything you can to make sure it — or they — stay in your life.
You’ll always hear the negative before the positive, unless they’re trying to sell you something
Hearing bad commentary on someone or something doesn’t mean that there hasn’t been good commentary — it means that when people are distanced from said person or thing, they often first heed or share the bad advice.
Your successes cannot be quantified
I have lived in a world where quantifiable intelligence is posted on the fridge as a badge of success and arts and music classes have been labelled as electives. Having an Arts degree, I have had my fair share of people who do not believe in my skills or talents — but despite what society may tell me, my successes cannot be quantified by money, how much material goods I own, or how many friends or children I have. Success is subjective. You can have everything you could ever want, and still not be satisfied. Define success for yourself and do not let anyone convince you otherwise.
Planning can only get you so far
I have no structured plans for the future because I don’t believe in planning. Where I am at in this moment is the exact opposite of where I thought I would be five years ago, but it’s exactly where I want to be. My ultimate plan is to be happy, and I’m content with letting my future self ensure this becomes a reality.
Pick your battles
Your time and effort are valuable. Do not waste them on actions or people that aren’t deserving. Learn how to triage what people ask of you so that you can get the most out of life. This will help you in school, work, relationships — nearly all aspects of life.
Don’t worry about what you can’t change
As hard as it may be, don’t let yourself stress out over things you have no control over. Spend your thoughts on things more valuable.
