Back-to-college...with a smile

I drove past a house today that had one of those college farewell signs in the front yard. It said something like, "It's finally time. Enjoy the adventure. Have the time of your life." It was a K State sign, in fact.

What really stood out to me about the sign was the word adventure. College IS an adventure. But why don't we look at it like this? Why don't we celebrate the hard work it took to get to this point? Why are we too focused on the outcome instead of the process?

This is where the struggles begin.

Most students have spent the last three to four years of their lives preparing for this moment. The mental framework has been all about produce, win, achieve, and accelerate- for the LAST FOUR YEARS.
The brain doesn't know how to shift focus and perceive college to be  a time for exploration, a new inviting experience, the beginning of a new journey, or a process of individuation. 

When new college students and even those who struggled last year, start thinking of college as the opportunity to gain experience, to learn, mature, and to find themselves, their mindset opens. Life looks and feels differently. This is naturally the time to reduce the pressures of performance while still meeting daily demands of college, giving your best effort, and focusing on doing.

This semester allow yourself to just BE. Be available for yourself and others. BE present for your mental health. BE content that you've done a good job thus far. BE supportive of your efforts and intentions moving forward. BE thankful for the opportunity to go to college.

​College is an adventure, and you are right where you are meant to be.

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