Surviving (and thriving) in Student Life
By: Aaryake Pandey
Being a student is like walking on a tightrope between deadlines and downtime, fun and focus, growth, and existential dread…
College life can be chaotic (it’s all for the plot), but the memories last a lifetime. Even while assignments are piling up and group projects are testing your patience, those late-night walks, random adventures, and coffee runs in between classes to Nescafe with your friends make it all worthwhile.
Concepts like stress management, emotional regulation, and mindfulness, can help students navigate ups and downs. We as humans need connection, autonomy, and motivation to get things done. The first week of classes feels like this semester is going to be ‘your semester’ “Going to finish the portion, 2 months in advance” are famous words said by almost every student, but then week two hits and Netflix suddenly becomes irresistible.
Learning how to balance these motivators especially when intrinsic motivation fades, can help keep your inner student from spiralling into “just 5 more minutes” of procrastination: the struggle is real.
But how does one learn how to balance?
Well, this requires developing self-awareness, the act of finding and establishing a sense of purpose that fuels one’s long-term engagement, and there is nothing wrong in treating yourself to a nice trip to the Tapri for a cup of warm bournvitta and cheese Maggi after a submission.
Sometimes loneliness creeps up even when you are surrounded by classmates, when you feel like you don’t belong, and when others are landing internships. You are still filling out applications, and acting tests while you are still figuring out how to make it through the week.
Surviving is accepting that plans will shit and expectations may falter at times. But over time you learn that success isn’t a straight line and it looks different for everyone. Over time you discover that the student life isn’t just about surviving but finding comfort in unexpected places. It is that late-night conversation that sparks an idea to start your club, it is not about being unbreakable but about knowing you can piece yourself back.
Student life introduces you to the practice of emotional resilience—the ability to adapt and recover, find meaning, and learn how to embrace uncertainty. These small steps and victories mark your transformation, shaping not just your academic growth but also your personal identity and emotional resilience.
Surviving as a student also means how to unlearn, this means that discovering that some study methods don’t work anymore and some friends weren’t meant to stay till graduation. Important lessons like protecting your peace and getting that extra hour of sleep are just as crucial as getting good grades.
Surviving isn’t only about testing how much you can endure but also knowing when to pause, step back, and find meaning even in the messiest moments.
