Failing Forward
These realizations in life are breaking points. It is at this time that you say to yourself: 'Yes!' Or 'no.' And in case of 'yes', there is a chance that at some point in life you can look back and think: “I'm so glad (or thankful) I made that decision.” In case of 'no', you usually conclude you made the safest choice. Even if you accept the challenges in front of you and fail, you can still learn from that failure. Not trying however, results in failing without having learnt anything. Except maybe the fact that you should have tried after every time you said 'no' - a hard lesson to learn for some.
Mantra of a Fighter
Like beginning a new compulsory course you do not like, because it's part of your curriculum and not of your preferences, you have to keep in mind the greater goal to make it easier. Constantin Brâncuși, a student of Rodin, once said:'Create like a god, command like a king, work like a slave.'
You can also apply this attitude to yourself at university. Not unlike art, does real science begin with an idea: Cure cancer, save others from poverty, teach others how to be happy or just learning thermodynamics because it is a basis for a new field. An idea that only exists in your head, until you make it reality, or realize it was just a silly idea.
Equally, you can materialize your dreams and sometimes it requires a university degree to do so. If not, then why are you here? Because you got your high school diploma and had nothing else to choose? Or because you are killing time while searching for something you want to do later? If so, why not stop searching and start finding, by focussing on a simple idea. A goal that gives sense of direction. The reason you want to get up in the morning. Who or what are you doing it for?
Separation Anxiety
Keeping focus is one of the hardest things to do after mistakes. Not just because only half the subjects during your study are interesting to you, but also because of distractions luring around every corner. You might not be the most creative, the most intelligent, the prettiest or the most social person, but you can still have grit: The discipline to work through everything.
To say 'no' to unnecessary social interaction when you try to learn what needs to be learned to reach your goal. This is not a reflection of your opinion on someone asking for your attention. This is not being anti-social by ignoring your phone. This is what you do, not who you are. Do not be afraid of separating what you do, from who you are when studying. Fight those distractions and learn!
