Throughout the weeks in my previous posts, I have been talking about different topics related to the American culture, and my journey as I am acculturating to this country. This week I want to do something different.
I want to make a stop.
I live on campus while I am studying to get my degree in journalism and new media from an amazing university in Nashville, Tenn. This time of the year, things can get a little crazy. I am sure most students out there are feeling the end-of-the-semester stress. I am at that point right now.
If I put all the assignments that I have due before Thanksgiving together, I could build a tower higher than the tower of Babel. Just kidding, but kind of.
I really felt the pressure this week. I can imagine that most of the students are going through similar stages in their semester where one exam could determine their grade. One extra assignment could get you to the grade that you wanted. A final paper could be the only important grade during the whole class.
With a full agenda and no time for anything else but study, I find myself sleep deprived. When I spend a night studying, I usually take time from the next day to compensate and get some rest. Last week, after studying all night for a test, I needed to take a nap. The problem was that I couldn’t. The activities during that day and the responsibilities that I had for the next day made it impossible for me to sleep.
So, there I was. Tired, stressed out and with a lot to do.
When I was about to burst in tears, I remembered two things. The first one was a reminder that no matter how hard my task may seem at the moment, I was able to do it. “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
The second thing that came to my mind was a sweet voice that told me to look at what was going on in a new way. It was a reminiscence of the same situation from the past of how I was able to get thorough that and reaching the other side of the bridge. I thought to myself, “this too shall pass.”
Even when it seems like it is a lot, or like it is too hard, you can do it! In a couple of days you are going to look back on your results and celebrate your achievements. For that to happen, you need to decide today where you want to be tomorrow.
What do you do when you feel as if you are unable to achieve your goals? If you are a student or a worker with an abundant amount of work, what do you do to de-stress?
Acculturating 