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When I think about October, I think about production. Since school is now in full swing, life is much more fast-paced. The buffer zone that exists over the first few weeks of the year in order to allow us to get comfortable with the rigors of academics and other aspects of college life is gone. As Notre Dame students, we are now expected to balance the demands of our many endeavors.
Fortunately, we are not alone in these demands. We all share the common bond of busyness, and life for a college student is sometimes more hectic than one could ever imagine. Our obligations cause us to value the free time we do have so much more. Whether class, homework, the job search, extracurricular activities or other obligations gridlock us, we learn to appreciate the uninhabited moments we have as precious commodities.
The pursuits we chase are the essence of being a young person. We are all still discerning our true identities and how we would like to shape our lives in the present in preparation for the long term. There are so many ways in which we can build our abilities during our formative college years. And although Notre Dame can be a guiding force to aid us in achieving our goals, we must ultimately empower ourselves.
If we push to continually progress in whatever most excites us, we will see the fruits of our labor and begin to thrive. This can be a slow process sometimes, but as we all know, nothing ever comes effortlessly. As we have all found out at some point in our lives, there is no substitute for old-fashioned hard work. Whether our effort is centered on study sessions, band practice, club sports, SIBC or writing for Scholastic, we all work hard to improve.
Look at the members of the Notre Dame community who have come before us. We are truly doing some amazing things in the world.
Look at what’s going on now at this university. Notre Dame is seeking to become the preeminent research institution of higher education. Nearly $134 million has now been granted to fund these initiatives. Our president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., greeted the pope in Washington.
Look at how we are contributing to this university’s progress. Notre Dame has been rated a top 20 institution of higher learning by U.S. News and World Report, and a top 25 institution on Pay-Scale’s “College Salary Report.” Notre Dame students are valued in a broader setting largely due to their talent and growth. Over the course of four years, Notre Dame students emerge as young adults who are up to the task of entering the global community.
It is undeniable that immense talent is here. However, as late fall approaches, it is easy for one to be blinded by roadblocks. Whether it’s a paper or a test, it’s only one paper or test. Life will get easier soon. In the grand scheme of life, expectations of perfection generate unnecessary levels of stress. Sometimes, we must trust the process in order to reach our goals.
In many ways, life is a mind game. Maintaining a positive attitude is essential to stay on course. None of us can ever be perfect, so we must keep our college experiences in perspective and maintain a positive outlook. Mental health is so important for college students to function well. This October issue of Scholastic discusses the topic in detail and shares personal stories from students and information regarding the state of mental health on campus.
As always, we thank you for your support of Scholastic, and we look forward to your continued engagement whether that may be via print, on our website (scholastic.nd.edu), Facebook (Scholastic Magazine), Twitter (@NDscholastic) or Instagram (@ndscholastic).
Carpe Diem!