Acknowledging one’s humanity while being a student

This post was edited on 10/25/23 by cottoncandyloverprincess

Do you struggle with maintaining your identity while being a student? 

Many people would probably say yes because of the never-ending cycle of homework, projects, and exams. It can definitely get overwhelming at times as we are all trying to navigate early adulthood. Personally, I feel like I can never catch a break. There is always something else I should/could be doing. On weekdays, I typically feel guilty if I do something besides schoolwork. As individuals, we have to understand that school is important, but WE are also important and deserve attention as well!

Do you feel like the schoolwork is always stacking up?

Being a student can be very time consuming and stressful. Maintaining one’s identity can be very difficult with the demands of school. As an individual, it is important for us to acknowledge that we are more than just a student. Individuals have friends, family, and activities outside of school that are just as important. It is very important for students to set aside some time in a day to do things outside of schoolwork. It is easy to get overwhelmed and flustered while being a student, but it is important to take care of one’s overall well-being first. Also, it is important to remind yourself that you are trying your best and that everything is going to be okay.

Do you struggle with finding time for self-care?

Personally, this is something I’ve always struggled with. It feels like a never-ending cycle of going to class, doing homework, and going to bed with no time for myself, my family, or my friends. Recently, I have really tried to prioritize my well-being first, and in turn, this actually helped me academically. Even though I still have a lot of schoolwork, I find myself a lot more productive, allowing me to have more time for myself! The main thing that has helped me acknowledge my humanity while being a student is self-care. It is very important for me to take care of my physical and mental health to be a successful student.

Self-care looks different for everyone, but for me personally, I love going to the gym. Whether it’s for thirty minutes or an hour, I notice a difference in how I feel. I also love hanging out with my friends and family because they always make me happy and motivate me to become the best version of myself. They also help me acknowledge and maintain my humanity while going through things in my life.

Another form of self-care I do is put a face mask on and watch a movie. This is my favorite thing to do because I feel like I get some intentional alone time and recharge for the next day, which makes me more productive. Managing my time has also helped me with all of these things, teaching me to plan out my day and slow down when I need it.

This topic is very important and can relate to a lot of students. Acknowledging one’s humanity looks different for every person. It is crucial that individuals find self-care activities that work for their personal preferences and schedules. For example, playing basketball every night with friends. Or, on the other hand, organizing and deep cleaning your space. Depending on the person, there are so many ways individuals can maintain one’s identity. Being a student can be stressful and overwhelming at times, but it is definitely manageable when you find what works best for you! Also, remembering that school and grades don’t define an individual is a very important reminder.

In what way do you acknowledge your humanity while being a student?