Life may be tough, but still be grateful

“I can’t hang tonight. I have laundry to do, I have a speech I have to write, and I have to study for all of my finals. I’ll give you a call when my life doesn’t suck so bad,” said a female college student as I walked by her and her friend. Though she may have meant it sarcastically, I couldn’t help but notice how most other college students have the same mentality. I was a prime example.

I cursed anyone who might have stood in my way towards success. I also blamed everyone else for the “horrible” things that had been happening. I have never had a father in my life, and I have been working since the age of 16; and, when it comes to bills, I am the only one who has to pay them off. If I miss a bill, then it’s on me — not my parents or grandparents.

Completely frustrated with my position in life, I finally pushed aside my stubborn and prideful ways (as I am highly stubborn and full of pride for my accomplishments) and sought help.

Now that I realized that I needed help, I had no idea who to turn to. It was then that a professor, who wished to remain anonymous, pulled me aside after class and asked me about my slipping grades. I told him about my past, about my present, and about how I’m losing my motivation.

He responded, “I think you just need to grow up.” Though it seemed harsh and apathetic, especially at first, I allowed myself to open my mind to what he was saying. If this professor didn’t care, why would he tell me something like that?

“You’re sitting here telling me that you don’t have any motivation, and for what? There are soldiers across the Atlantic [Ocean] who have bullets flying by their head while they are on patrol. Sure, you may have two jobs, but while you’re sitting in a classroom or your dorm room, others have to endure 120 degree weather in the desert or live in fear of a roadside bomb,” said the anonymous professor.

I have two cents for everything, but when he said that I could do nothing but sit in silence. Maybe it was out of respect for this teacher, or maybe it was because I was pondering what he had said. One way or another, from that moment on, it seems I have done just that. Then, to give me more “motivation,” Morgan Nelson’s “We college students are invincible” article seemed to confirm what had been said to me.

After that week, things seemed to have looked up. I also noticed plenty of students, high school and college, complaining. There is a difference between “I have to get my stuff done. Sorry, I can’t hang,” and “This teacher gives me so much homework. I hate my life.” Students do have a lot to take care of and have a lot to worry about, but it could be worse.

According to the CIA, manpower reaching militarily significant age 18 is 2,161,727 annually or males and 2,055,685 for females. You could be one of these soldiers enduring 120 degree weather in Afghanistan. You could be the soldier who has to drive everyday for transport and live in constant fear of a roadside bomb.

With all of that considered, I am glad to have all of these rather trivial troubles in my life.

For me, these things are only temporary. My time of stress will be over within the last few weeks of school, as will the rest of the  people on campus.