How would you describe a normal day at school? A big, massive, unpredictable mess of never-ending activities—right?
I don’t know what your personal approach is for making sense of what often feels like a plane flying blind through a storm. Is that how you feel sometimes? When you hear all those voices in your mind telling you what to do, and you have no idea how to land?
Okay, let me share a trick I learned after spending quite a few years in school. If you asked me, “Do you struggle with procrastination?” I would probably answer, “Yes!” In fact, many truly creative people— like Leonardo da Vinci—were masters of procrastination. He voluntarily delayed finishing the Mona Lisa, one of his greatest masterpieces. He never actually delivered it; he died before completing it! Sounds familiar? Perhaps that reminds you of one of your own unfinished projects or monographs.
Let me explain what might be happening. People like Leonardo—and probably you—are often perfectionists. You don’t feel your work is finished because, in your eyes, it isn’t. You’re still searching for that higher spark of inspiration. But here’s a piece of advice: embrace imperfection. I’m not saying you should settle for mediocrity. I’m saying that you should review your course objectives and deliver a solid, reasonable product within the time you have for the semester. Your masterpiece will always be a work in progress.
One of the strongest feelings that paralyzes students is panic. What else can you feel when you see that towering pile of books on your desk or your study sheet for the next exam? Where do you even start?
Alexander the Great once faced the challenge of untying an intricate knot—according to legend, it was the test that would determine who would become the next ruler of Asia. He couldn’t unravel its tangled cords. So, what did he do? At least in one version of the story, he took his sword and sliced the knot in half. His reasoning was simple: the method didn’t matter—what mattered was the result.
Many people get stuck in the process and forget the obvious truth—the power of simply starting something, trusting that solutions will come along the way. When you see an endless pile of pages waiting to be read, just start with one. That small action might trigger a snowball effect. Soon, you’ll be motivated to read the next page, and the next ten, and before long you’ll realize how much progress you’ve made.
Another major challenge in the school can be your calendar. Some days, you might have three or four activities scheduled at the same time—and somehow, you’re expected to attend them all! If you’re married, you also have your spouse’s schedule to consider. And that’s not even counting your children!
Breathe. Yes, breathe! One of the biggest mistakes students make is trying to be omnipresent—to be in two or three places at once. But you’re not The Flash! You don’t have superpowers. Embrace your finiteness—being fully present in one place, at one time, focusing on one issue. Don’t overpromise what you can’t deliver.
School is a never-ending cycle of activities. You don’t need to jump into all of them. Choose the ones that will benefit your goals and aspirations the most. Recognize your priorities. And never walk alone through your academic journey. The company you keep will elevate your experience in powerful ways. Walking with the right people may be one of the most important decisions you make at the start of your school life.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.