Summer has come to an end and now you find yourself at a new beginning: you are starting your first semester of college and now here you are going from the total control and re-enforced structure provided by family and secondary schools to complete freedom. You have heard probably a million times that you can do anything that you put your mind to and become whatever you desire. Now here you are at the place that defines the ‘what’ of the hundred year old question: what will you be when you grow up? This feat can probably be the source of about ten new pimples if you spent enough time truly trying to comprehend the situation. However you are in luck because millions have been in this very same position and there is advice and guiding hands to help you through this period of your life.
The very first step to being successful in college is defining what success will mean to you. Take some time to figure out your interest and then look through the majors offered at Chicago State University (CSU) and see if there is an overlap. This may even mean that you might have to admit to yourself that you have no idea what it is that you want out of life. Or you might even realize that what you want to do will not bring millions but will bring satisfaction. Being in a field of study that may not necessarily bring bountiful monetary rewards does not mean that you will not be successful. Success is a definition that changes for every person. Luckily, CSU provides services to their students to help them narrow the possibilities that lie in front of them. There are even counselors that can help assess your interests and the best possible routes to accomplish your goals.
With success there will always be struggles. These struggles can deter you from achieving your goals and even the most disciplined person can succumb to what most would call the four D’s. The four D’s that can railroad even the best plan for success are distractions, disinterest, depression, and dissatisfaction. Each of these categories has tools and strategies that can be implemented and will allow one to persevere and move successfully towards the goals that were set.
Distractions run rampant in everyone’s life unless maybe you live isolated in a dark cabin with only a fireplace. The fun thing about distractions are its ability to come in several forms. Sources of distractions can range from the hum of the ceiling lights to the screams of a new born daughter or from Facebook to dull pencils. One huge cure to this problem is to simply identify what are major distractions for you and then to eliminate them. If there is something that you cannot necessarily cut off or ignore, try finding ways to limit the amount it interferes with your plan. Life is not easy and usually not all that accommodating to someone who is trying to go to school. A strategy for dealing with life outside of school is to identify what is and what is not pertinent and adjust accordingly. Use the help of loved ones to lessen burdens you might face while in school.
Disinterest is a huge struggle for many attending school. There are requirements and classes that may not necessarily pique your interest. The best advice for this is to be positive and find what it is that you can take from each situation and also to push yourself through the rough patches.
You do have to be very careful with disinterest. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed and lose interest in things that are near and dear to who you are, you can be experiencing symptoms of depression. Depression and mental health are very important and can seriously derail your advancement towards your goals. Be sure to use all the services provided to you at the Student Wellness and Counseling Centers. The two centers can make sure that you are healthy and mentally fit to handle the challenges that come with school and this life building process.
The last D is dissatisfaction. Dissatisfaction sneaks in when you cannot complete anything because it does not match up to impossible standards that you have set. Dissatisfaction can quickly take you off your course. To combat this, remember that you are human. You will make mistakes and make wrong decisions. You cannot always be perfect and you might not do well in some areas. However completing any goal is hard and will be filled with learning opportunities. It is very important that you give everything your best effort. If you do fail you then have an opportunity to learn from it and grow as an individual.
People all over the world endure these obstacles so remember to take this time to enjoy shaping your life into whatever it is that you personally wish it to be, and before you realize it you will have made the journey and find yourself successful. Now take a deep breath and begin your journey.
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