We're all pretending to have the wrong thing in common.
Dec 11, 2018
I was having a conversation with someone my mom works with regarding my college experience and my studies. At some point, while discussing challenging classes, she mentioned how smart I must have been in order to get such good grades. I casually replied that I'm not naturally smart; I have just discovered that things take me longer than they do others, and I have found methods of studying that help me learn in the way that I need to.
I think her jaw almost touched the floor.
She told me how her daughter is the same way, someone who seems to be working ten times harder for grades that others earn effortlessly. But, like me, her daughter works hard to not only do well but also to hide how hard she is actually working.
It made me realize something.
All the people that act like they aren't stressed out or act like they are naturally great learners should just stop pretending. Imagine how much better it would be if we were all honest with each other about our problems and worked together to help, rather than compete to see who can do the best while acting like they care the least.
It's not going to be easy. I feel like I have had competitiveness running in my blood for over a decade. I think a system that ranks children based on grades and rewards based on rank invites competition. But it wasn't until college that I realized collaboration and honesty are truly life- (and grade-) changing aspects of the educational experience.
So I'll be the first to say it.
In middle school, I was behind in math and watched as my friends left me and my other classmates behind to take a higher-level math. It took a long time and very hard work to be able to get to the group of children that were advanced. When I got there, I acted like it was all a breeze while working for hours on my own at home.
Through high school, there were times when I was frustrated beyond belief because I was functioning at a level much higher than I probably should have been. After having to drop AP Physics, it was challenging to continue to push myself so hard. Now, it feels like every failure is a personal reminder that I don't belong where I am.
But I am confident in myself enough to admit that. I am confident that many of my peers that I look up to for inspiration have days that they feel that exact same way, even though they may not talk about it.
I think the truth is that we are all pretending to be the same in one way when we are really all the same in another. So, as finals week comes up and teachers are cramming those last few assignments in, remember that you are not the only person feeling the way you are feeling.
If you meet someone who needs a pick-me-up, avoid saying, "don't worry about it" or "it will get better." Try saying, "I understand how you feel. I feel that way, too." Let's validate each other rather than encourage them to feel differently.
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.
09 September
There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.
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There's at least one of these people in every single class, whether it's a required General Education class or an upper division major course. These students always sit in the front row and ask at least five questions every lecture. They attend all the discussions and office hours, and try to turn in homework at least a week in advance. These are also the people who remind professors about assigned homework and upcoming exams. Nothing bad about being studious, but are they even human?
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It doesn't matter whether it's fall, winter, spring or summer - these people are online shopping every single lecture. They usually sit a row or few in front of you, and while the professor is lecturing, instead of taking notes or even trying to act like they're listening, they just aimlessly scroll through Aritzia, Forever 21 and Zara. The only time their eyes ever leave their computer screen is when class ends, so they're basically just there for giggles.
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This person comes to class every day, but somehow never stays awake for more than 20 minutes. You can sometimes hear the occasional snore from a corner of a large lecture hall, or catch their heads nodding like a pendulum near the front of the class if they're the studious type. But let's be real here: we've all been one of those students at some point.
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This category of students is probably the most common. Sure, they'll go to class, but all they do is surf through memes on Facebook or watch others play Fortnite. These people are in class for the attendance grade, not to learn. On occasion, they may raise their hand in class to ask a generic, vague question that has already been covered but hey, gotta get that participation grade. They're just doing everything they can to survive college, and honestly, it's a mood.
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Standing as probably the most frustrating category of people in this list, these students won't know about a midterm until two days before. The day before the exam, they'll be chilling in Malibu and partying at night. They go to class every once in a while when the class time doesn't clash with one of their many elaborate social plans, but never pay attention. Somehow, they still ace all their exams and end up with the top grade in the class.
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These people will start studying for a midterm at least two weeks before hand, and will be so stressed about homework and classes that they spend more time worrying about the workload than actually doing the work itself. They're in desperate need of a relaxing vacation that they're too stressed to plan, and they disappear from the outside world for weeks at a time. You can usually find them in a study room in a library, where they probably have been in for the past week.
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You didn't even know that they were in your class to begin with because they never show up until it's exam week. Are they too smart for the class or struggling too hard to care? The world may never know. Maybe they're just straight chilling in their apartments being lazy, but most of time, they probably didn't even put this class on their schedules. Catch them going to Disneyland on a weekday at least once a month, which is more than the frequency that they attend class.
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I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.
If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.
I think that this one would be super cute except one of the dates would have to not talk the entire function which would be extremely difficult.
This is my personal favorite except it would be difficult to dress up like a ramp.
For this you could have one person dress up like hooter's girl and have one person wear plastic shot glasses with color glue in them.
For this one person could wear a cape and a Sherlock hat with a magnifying glass and the other person could dress up like the bird Woodstock or the festival.
This would be the coolest idea to do. To dress up like a bowl of spaghetti and a Yeti. The only thing you would have to watch would to make sure that the Yeti didn't eat the spaghetti.
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This would be very cute. You could use a backpack or a laundry basket for the shell.
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I don't know if you have seen the bladder cartoon but just imagine someone dressed up like that. Wouldn't that be so cute?
The snake could use the rake. This would be a very easy to dress up for.
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You could dress up like a thing of jam or like a dollop of jam and just wear a single color.
You could dress with pink and then the other person could dress with brown.
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All you need for this one is a banana costume and old lady clothes
One person would dress up as a milk carton and the other as any kind of fairy.
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I think that this is the most creative pairing that has ever been thought of. The hibachi person would definitely have to have one of those tall hats they wear.
You could put your arms through the straps that come out of the trash bag and just wrap an American flag around yourself (as long as it doesn't touch the floor).
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This would be super cute if the person who was the gumball put puffballs onto their shirt and wore silver pants.
A rhyme without reason date function is a social gathering when partners show up wearing outfits that rhyme with each other. It opens up an opportunity for creativity. It is most popular on college campuses, though it can be extended to other parts of society as a fun way to play dress-up. It also gains additional popularity around Halloween time, given the interest in costumes and dressing up for that holiday.
There are so many options: A Dog and a Frog could be fun. A Ramp and a Lamp, a Whale and a Snail, a Rake and a Snake, a Trash Bag and a Flag, and Bob Ross and Dental Floss are just some ideas for a rhyme without reason date function. Using your own creativity, you could think of countless more options and if you explore the web, you'll find lists out there to provide inspiration. Rhyming without reason at the end of the day is all about having fun.
For starters, TikTok has a whole collection of rhyme without reason ideas. You could browse those for quite some time and find plenty of inspiration. You might also look toward Her Campus for plenty more ideas or our handy list. There's no shortage of options around the web, but some of the best ideas may come from you. Start with the rhyming perspective and then think about what fun pairings would be for a real-life rhyme without reason costume party.
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You deserve a great thank you.
Never would I have thought a few years ago that I would be such a huge yoga fanatic, that I would be hitting the gym almost every day to get to class, and that I would be forming all these amazing relationships with so many incredible people who also share a love for you. You've enhanced my way of life in numerous ways that I need to thank you for.
Thank you for showing me my true strength. Not only physical strength, but more importantly mental strength. You've shown me that I am more than what others may think of me, and that I can rise above any obstacle that comes through my path.
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Thank you for helping me to walk through life with grace and passion.To love what I do and love the life that I share with those around me. Before experiencing yoga, I never truly understood what it was like to be passionate about something. Now that I have, not only do I know what it's like to be passionate, but also have a willing to be passionate.
Thank you for teaching me what it is like to appreciate the small things in life. Which has only helped me more to appreciate the big things. You've shown me to not only appreciate the life around me, but also to give myself the appreciation that I deserve. And more importantly, give others the appreciation that they deserve.
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Thank you for allowing me to let go. Whenever I feel as if I need a break from the world, the yoga studio is the first place I think of. As soon as I enter the studio, the outside world leaves my mind. You've allowed me an escape that I will be forever thankful for.
Thank you for turning me into a mindful person. Having mindfulness is harder than it seems, especially here in today's society. Over the past couple years, I have become more mindful to the world around me, I have been able to truly be myself and let everyone else be themselves -- all thanks to yoga.
And lastly, thank you for allowing me to breathe. As simple as it sounds, breathing is the one thing that I carry around most with me off the mat. Deep breaths are what get me through the day. Throughout tough situations, emotional battles, and stressful times, I always know to come back to my yoga, to come back to my breath.
I only hope that those around me feel the same way as I do about you, yoga. You have truly transformed my life in the best way imaginable. It is a gift and a great privilege to be able to experience the practice. Thanks to you, I have grown as a person, proved to myself the true strength I have, become more aware and have ultimately started living a better life.
Your Yoga-Obsessed Friend
