Kaylee B.
If you’re reading this, remember it’s ok to not do everything.
Much like many other undergraduate students, I have aspirations for graduate or professional school. Personally, I hope to attend medical school starting in the summer of 2026. My goal is to go straight through without taking a gap year, which means every decision I make now feels even more critical in preparing myself for the future. As students, we’re always trying to make ourselves the most exceptional candidates we can be. This has always meant trying to become a well-rounded applicant, filling my resume with experiences, and staying competitive in every possible way.
Over the years, I’ve spent an incredible amount of time thinking about what everyone else is doing to prepare for graduate school. Am I doing enough? Are other people doing more than me? Should I be more involved? Am I getting behind? I find myself thinking about these questions often. And because of them, I’ve often convinced myself that I need to fit one more thing into my schedule—just one more club, one more leadership role, one more research project. I reason with myself that this will be the last thing I add, and that I’ll say no next time an opportunity presents itself.
The truth is, I struggle to say no. What if that one more thing is the difference between getting into medical school or not? What if that extra responsibility is the tipping point that makes me stand out? While in my mind, it seems like one more thing might not hurt, the reality is constantly saying yes is simply not sustainable.
College is supposed to be some of the best years of our lives, but instead of truly enjoying the present moment, I’ve spent so much time focused on whether I’m doing enough. I’ve allowed myself to become consumed by a checklist of achievements, and as a result, I’ve sacrificed my mental health and well-being more than I’d care to admit.
As I reflect on this, I’ve come to realize not joining that extra group or taking on that extra responsibility isn’t going to set me back in life. I am doing enough. There will always be more opportunities out there–more jobs, more clubs, and more roles to fill. It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to take a step back and prioritize what truly matters: our health, well-being, and happiness.
Everyone’s path is different, and success isn’t about how many things we can juggle at once or how much we can pack into our schedules. Success is about finding balance and doing things that genuinely matter to us. It’s about knowing when to push forward and when to take a step back and focus on ourselves.
So, while I think it’s important to stay involved and competitive (and trust me, I always am), I hope there are a few things you can take away from this letter. First, there will always be a new opportunity, and it’s perfectly okay to say no. Saying no doesn’t mean you’re falling behind—it means you’re setting boundaries. Second, just because someone else appears to be doing more than you, it doesn’t mean they’re more successful. Everyone has a unique path, and our worth isn’t defined by how much we can cram into our schedules.
Finally, we owe it to ourselves to take better care of ourselves. We need to prioritize our health and wellness. After all, if we don’t take care of ourselves now, how can we expect to be successful in the long run?
It’s okay to not do everything. It’s okay to slow down, breathe, and focus on what matters most. We are enough, and we deserve to live happy, healthy lives.
Kaylee B., Clemson University
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