On Overachievers

These days, there is a great deal of pressure on college students to go above and beyond.


If you want to get a job/in to grad school, you'd better be a member of a student organization on top of having a near perfect GPA. Actually, if you really want to do well, run for president of your organization! Oh, don't forget to hand in an application to become a Resident Advisor while you're at it. And get your Superior Edge. Are you still studying enough? Have you gotten an internship related to your major? Stressed? We have a counseling center for that, keep working!

At least that's what I'm hearing. It's like every opportunity that's set before me doesn't feel like it's waiting for me with arms open. They block my path. And while I can tip-toe around them, somehow I always end up going back for these things. When they don't jump out at me, I go crazy looking for opportunities to build up my resume.

Being an RA was probably the worst in terms of this. Don't get me wrong, I loved my job more than life itself and consider it to be one of the best things I've done with my life. But the way I worked was so unhealthy. I didn't use nearly enough of my nights off. When I wasn't in my room, my residents were constantly on my mind. Inherently, I guilted myself into spending most of my time in my room with the door open. I was advised not to worry so much about what was happening while I wasn't around. "But how can I be a resource to my residents if I'm not in my room?" I'd snap back. I think if I heard anyone say that now, I'd probably slap them and accuse them of sucking up to the Man or Wo-man. Seriously, what a kiss-ass thing to say.

So as for the overachievers at NMU, I think I am one of you, and I don't like most of you. But while we are out doing some really cool shit, maybe we need to remind people that you can do really great things and still have a personal life. I'm well over halfway into my time in college and I haven't gone to a house party. And while a lot of that had to do with the rule against that as an RA, I don't think I'd have gone to any even if I had been allowed to go. My skis rested up against the wall the entire winter last year. I haven't taken a road trip with friends yet. I haven't gone camping up in Marquette at all, and have turned down SO many offers to do so when I gladly would have scribbled down "camping night" into my planner. There was just never any room to write it down. 

So when you open the door to a new opportunity, remember there are going to be a whole lot more of those down the line. NMU is overflowing with all kinds of chances to build up your resume (which makes up for the whole N for knowledge thing). Don't let the best years of your life get buried under 18-credit semesters that seemingly need to end in a 4.0 and getting a better internship than everyone else in your major. If you want to go to a party with your roommate, go to a party with your roommate. If you don't like it, get some milk and oreos and watch your friends get shitfaced. Blow your money driving down to Chicago with your group of friends. If you want to make out with someone, go fucking do it. If you don't, get a pet cat and teach it the wonders of Netflix. Spend your down time however you want, just make sure you have a healthy dose of it when you can. You can still save the world and take naps on the daily.