Building a Better Future for Myself So far at college, I have encountered a substantial amount of struggle, and I have had to think of ways to overcome it. Coming to a new place brings many new challenges, and it is not always easy to make adjustments on the fly, especially when under a high level of academic pressure. I had to come up with new methods of time management, coping with stress, and using resources in order to rise above the issues I was dealing with. This has allowed me to perform better in school, enjoy life more, and have an overall more positive experience. When I first came to college, I put a lot of pressure on myself to be successful. However, certain adjustments had to be made from high school that I did not necessarily expect. At first, it was demoralizing. I had become accustomed to a high level of success with a medium level of effort, and it was a culture shock to realize that things are more difficult now. It became easy to get down on myself and feel as if I had failed. But I realized that as I encountered these struggles, I was responding in the wrong way. Rather than setting certain expectations and considering any other result to be a failure, perhaps it was better to change my expectations: “Instead of letting your life be ruled by the expectations of others or your own expectation that you have to be perfect, what if you just did your best?” (“ Why Letting Go of Expectations is a Freeing Habit ” by Julia Hogan - Moreau FYE Week Nine). Making this change was a great decision. Not only did I feel more gratified by the things I achieved, but I was able to come closer to my original expectations by relaxing and having confidence in my work and what I accomplished. It made me realize that, while goals are healthy, what we learn on the path to achieving them is even more important than where we end up. By adjusting my expectations, and allowing myself to do my best and cope with struggle, I improved my mental health significantly, and I improved my skills as a student/person as well. https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/health-and-wellness/letting-go-of-expectations/ https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/health-and-wellness/letting-go-of-expectations/ One of the most rewarding parts of college has been the encounters I have had with a variety of people. When you grow up in a relatively small town, your interactions are largely limited to people who have had very similar experiences to yours. As such, it can be difficult to learn about the struggles that other people face in their lives, especially when they have different backgrounds than you. However, meeting so many new people from around the world has allowed me to expand my horizons significantly. In particular, sensitive issues such as racism and xenophobia are far easier to learn about here. When so many people have had a first hand experience with these struggles, they are an extremely good resource if they are willing to share. It has helped me to understand my own identity better, and to be more sensitive to the issues of others. Furthermore, it has allowed me to better understand my responsibility to help solve these problems. As written by Christopher J. Devron S.J.: “White people don’t get a moral pass by simply refraining from overtly racist acts. Rather, they must examine racial biases within systems; reflect on how they participate in and benefit from these biases; and then take deliberate action to change them” (“ Should Catholic Schools Teach Critical Race Theory ?” by Christopher J. Devron S.J. - Moreau FYE Week 10). In my encounters with various students here, I have become a better person by embracing what they have to offer and learning from them. Bonds like these allow us to forge relationships even when we may have different backgrounds, and move forward together as a society. I have found that my encounters with those who are different from me have been some of the most rewarding experiences in my life to date, and I hope they continue in the future. One of the greatest parts about Notre Dame is the intense sense of community which can be felt all around campus. I have been a part of various communities throughout my life, in academics, athletics, or my social life. However, what is unique about Notre Dame is that it puts https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2021/06/03/critical-race-theory-catholic-high-schools-black-lives-matter-240792 8,000 undergraduate students in the same situation, and has an excellent faculty whose main goal is helping you succeed. A truly strong community is one in which all the individual parts are working towards collective success, and to provide for each person as needed. It goes without saying that this exists at Notre Dame. Resources are readily available for whatever students may need, and it is never hard to find a peer or higher-up who is willing to accommodate your needs. It can be said that “ Leadership for community consists in creating, holding, and guarding a trustworthy space in which human resourcefulness may be evoked” (“ Thirteen Ways of Looking at Community ” by Parker J. Palmer - Moreau FYE Week 11). Notre Dame certainly fits these criteria. Transitioning to college can be extremely challenging for many, so it is important to have a strong sense of community supporting them when they are in times of struggle. Here, you can find assistance for your academics, social life, faith, mental health, or just about any area you can imagine. The Notre Dame community certainly embodies resourcefulness, and it fosters an environment where students can learn and grow. Notre Dame has helped me to grow both academically and spiritually in my time here. Oftentimes at competitive universities students become so focused on their studies that they commit themselves to education at the expense of their mental health and spirituality. However, Notre Dame has the opposite approach. The school understands that the most important thing here is the health and happiness of the students. Furthermore, it is understood that by prioritizing this, it will create a healthier learning environment for students and allow them to have better results in their education. In a Holy Cross booklet, it is written that “We shall always place education side by side with instruction; the mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart. While we prepare useful citizens for society, we shall likewise do our utmost to prepare citizens for heaven” (“ Holy Cross and Christian Education ” by Notre Dame Campus Ministry - http://couragerenewal.org/parker/writings/13-ways-of-looking-at-community/ http://couragerenewal.org/parker/writings/13-ways-of-looking-at-community/ https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/27120/files/186051/download?download_frd=1 Moreau FYE Week 12). Though this sounds intuitive, it is very easy to forget about what really matters in our daily lives. I often found myself overwhelmed with work in recent months, and it made me realize that, though hard work is important, it was possible that I was focusing too much on my work and not enough on myself. By reminding myself that there are more important things than academic success, I was able to return to a better place spiritually, and to lead a healthier life overall. Responding to conflict is a big part of what defines you as a person. Being resilient is a phenomenal quality to have, but it is easier said than done. When you encounter obstacles in your life, the natural response is anger or giving up. However, responding in a positive manner is one of the best ways to bring happiness into your life and to be more successful. Whether it means adjusting your expectations, using available resources, or any other techniques, it is important to have a toolbox of ways to overcome obstacles that you meet. On the road to happiness and success, it is important to take a step back and understand your goals, and to remain positive in your life.