MI by Maham

MI by Maham - May 2016 Scholarship Essay

“OH MY GOD! My finals are just around the corner” this is exactly how almost every student starts to lose their mind when final exams are nearing. Well, let’s be honest here. We humans have been found to win at procrastination, hands down. Just a slightest excuse would cross our mind and we start to lose interest in the actual work. Surprisingly, we tend to continue to procrastinate, despite knowing what it could cost us a lot at the end. Amazing, no? Having said that, procrastination is found to be in its highest degree in students, isn’t?. We are procrastination gurus. But we all have different ways to cope with such weaknesses which inhibit our ability to move up the success ladder. It could be possible that some tips and tricks are very effective on generally every student, but every student has a different threshold and atypical psyche that demands for customized ways to combat the issue.
Let’s give a quick glance at one of our common issues. We always yearn for greater success, for better grades, for everything better than present. It’s a human nature to strive for it. Therefore, at the time when our motivation level reaches its pinnacle, we begin setting goals which are almost unachievable in that insufficient period of time. Unfortunately, during that period, our motivation to actually put forward the effort to kickstart begins fluctuating abnormally. All this gets combined with a load of other stressors that emerge as a consequence to the latter: fear of failing, not being able to keep up with friendships, fear of missing out due to exams, mood swings, eating disorders and what not. Interestingly, this isn’t a story that I made up to add some drama to my essay, but infact to introduce you who I actually was and still am at times. I have failed myself limitlessly when it comes to procrastination which obviously resulted in failure to effectively study for exams. I tried to put myself into every situation my peers or family suggested, that could at least put me on the right track, but it just never happened. Either they were inadequate or just conflicted with my mindset. Considering how ambitious and greedy for success I am and yet equally lacking the motivation, I had to frame my own code, my own method that could work on me. For that, I begin a simple self-analysis which led me to the idea that my weakness lies in fearing that I might not just fail myself but my parents who have invested every penny just to see me on the pedestal of success that they dreamt of. I made a list of fears that could potentially surface if I kept doing bad at my exams. I wrote them down on sticky notes alongside the rewards that would come otherwise, and pasted them on my room’s wall. This was just another way to remind myself of the ‘purpose’ of my life and to look forward to the bright future awaiting me. In addition to this, I maintained a healthy balance between my social and student life. I did not ground myself to study 24/7 and cramming every other word from the book. I would put my phone in a locker, grab a snack or two, shut the door of my room and study for straight 2-3 hours. Right after that, I would take a considerably long break which was a mere getaway in the form of workout, sipping tea while watching TV, dancing as though I am on vacations, cooking myself a nice meal and just feel good about myself. This method neutralized my stressful life and helped me study sufficiently and far more effectively than before.

My method basically orbits around the idea of rectifying self-concept and how we estimate ourselves. It all begins with the corrections in one’s self and everything would fall into its place. You need to make peace with the intrapersonal conflicts we give birth to, in order to prevent it from hindering our success. You need to realize that every human has been designed to perform in its own exclusive way, which should not be compared with other people. Comparisons propagate nothing, but an excuse to make ourselves feel worse. People would start determining their entire future just by a single exam; there’s nothing that could possibly get in your way if you make the use of our potential to the 100% and give the best shot. I have never really found study concentrated tips practical for myself, as they make me feel restricted and suffocated. I like to run at my own pace, free of any bounds and limits. Study less but effective and love yourself for whatever you are. Channel your motivation correctly. If somebody tells you they have finished studying the entire book, don’t start comparing yourself with them and hyperventilating on the fact that you’re way behind. Accept yourself and on the top of that, your flaws. Improve yourself, not change. Don’t ever underestimate or degrade yourself. Think of the good things in your future and believe in your capabilities. The opportunity of education is a bounty that absolutely should not be taken for granted, because once lost, it’s never going to come back to you again. So, let’s just make the most out of this opportunity before the days of remorse prevail.