Maria G.
Photography by Peyton Mears
If you’re reading this, it’s ok to give yourself time to prioritize you.
As a college student, it is tempting to give it your absolute all when trying to gain the academic qualifications to make it to the next level. After all, we constantly hear that grades, academic validation, and approval from higher-ups can define how our journey past undergraduate studies will go. However, when thinking about the phrase “giving it your all,” I’m not so sure if jeopardizing my health is something I’m willing to sacrifice again.
Last semester, I was heavily involved in two research labs by helping create protocols and instructions and training peers for studies. I was also taking a full course load, trying to be the best possible student, research assistant, and member of organizations all at once. What didn’t form part of that equation of things I was attempting to accomplish, however, was my health and wellness. I was going from one place to another, doing assignments, and then straight to my club meetings, and often was not having breakfast or lunch. I stopped exercising, which is something I had been consistently doing throughout my time in college. Now, was the issue that I was doing too much at once? Maybe. However, the bigger issue was my time management. I was fully prioritizing school and became oblivious to how detrimental that would become for my health.
It all started with a simple bronchitis. I started taking medicine, hoping I would get better, but it quickly started getting worse. I was not able to breathe, kept coughing every time I tried to talk, and was feeling weaker by the day. I went to get checked up only to realize I had severe pneumonia. After finding out I had pneumonia, I still tried doing all my work as if I were feeling healthy and normal. I ended up in the ER for two days. My heartbeat was not slowing down from its fast pace for hours, and I realized I was also anemic. I had to get to the lowest point to realize if I didn’t start paying attention to what my body was asking me to do, it wouldn’t matter if I got the best grades or was a member of prestigious organizations; I would likely end up at the same low point over and over.
From that point on, I have made it a goal of mine to prioritize my health on the same level that I do my academics. After all, one missed homework assignment and club meeting are so tiny in the grand scheme of things. As long as I’m doing the best I can, while still making sure to be considerate of my health, I allow myself to feel just as accomplished as I would have otherwise. In terms of time management, that has also turned my whole routine around for the better. I wake up earlier now, giving myself time to eat breakfast to fuel my body before a busy day of work. This year I have a job in one of the labs, and in between my shifts at work, I make sure to exercise whenever I have time before my next activity, whether it’s something as simple as 20 minutes in the gym or going on a walk. It’s so tempting to only focus on one main priority at a time, but take it from me, it’s not in our best interest to do that. While I’m lucky that my low point was something that was able to go away, stress and lack of wellness can lead to much worse that many people our age have had to go through and continue to. The same way we think about grades affecting our future, let’s think about how our health and wellness can too.
Maria G., Florida State University
Connect With Us
To follow IfYoureReadingThis at FSU on Instagram, get in touch with our chapter, and learn about more resources available to FSU students, visit our chapter’s homepage.
AUTHOR CONTACT
This author has opted to allow readers who resonate with their story to contact them. If you would like to speak to the author of this letter about their experience, please use the form below.
