If you are still dragging yourself to class, keep it up

This archived article was written by: Austin Palmer

Finally it seems that winter is over and we’ll be able to enjoy being outside again. With the snow melted and the mud dried up, everyone is anxious to be outside playing. It doesn’t come as much of a surprise that since Spring Break attendance in your classes has probably declined somewhat. Those students who missed class every once in a while prior to spring break have probably missed even more classes or stopped attending completely. For those of you who are still dragging yourself to class keep at it. This semester is nearly over.
Those of you who have resisted the urge to ditch class and finish the semester on a high note are probably the students who have set goals for themselves and will probably achieve them. For any of you who have begun to doubt your ability to get what you want from life or are on the verge of throwing in the towel, it would be wise to read a few words from Nelson Mandela. “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be. You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Take it from someone who has been kicked around and has managed to maintain focus. Mandela was imprisoned various times and eventually he prevailed to become one of the most respected leaders in South Africa. Most of us are only tripped up by our lack of focus and will never be faced with death or imprisonment. This being the case we should all make sure that we don’t settle for mediocre rewards in life when we are all capable of achieving whatever goals we want to.
It is especially important that we, as students, don’t lose our desire to succeed at this time of year. For the majority of students spring semester is one of the hardest in which to maintain their focus. Many are distracted by the warm weather and the activities it brings. It may be helpful to keep in mind that the classes you can’t stand this semester will have to be retaken in the summer or fall if you don’t pass them now. That should be reason enough to get you through the next four weeks!