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Lock Away Your Responsibilities & Unlock Your Priorities: The Bigger Picture

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Vanderbilt chapter.

In the midst of finals, our minds are racing faster than the speed of light.  It’s as if we are running a constant marathon, paper after exam after project. We never seem to have a moment to sit back and relax. Every hour of the day is spent multi-tasking. We have a checklist, and after a task is completed, we completely forget about it and move onto the next one, without celebrating each success individually. I am a victim of “catastrophizing”, and I know we all can relate. You may seem stressed out by the 13-page research paper, modern philosophy exam, or final marketing presentation, but we need to take time to step back and look at the bigger picture.

In my life, one of my greatest struggles has been looking beyond the little details and more at the greater picture of the beautiful world we live in.  Sometimes it is not until you experience what true struggle is that you can realize how lucky you truly are.

Life is a balancing act, and the journey is trying to maintain this synergy of mental, physical, and emotional strength. We never feel that we are achieving enough because we compare ourselves to others who seem “better” or “smarter” than us. In reality, someone will always appear better than you, but at the end of the day, life is a journey for everyone. We all have our strengths and our struggles.

This semester I have spent every Wednesday volunteering at the Vanderbilt University Monroe Carrel Children’s Hospital. I can honestly say this is the one time during the week where I completely lock myself away from all of my “priorities.” Each morning upon arrival, I lock my backpack, my computer, and my cellphone inside a locker of the volunteer room. So yes… I lock away my academic, social, and business responsibilities. 

Locking my responsibilities allows me to unlock my priorities.

Each Wednesday is a revelation of hope and beauty in the face of darkness. I am exposed to children with life-threatening illnesses. Many of these children are strapped in wheel chairs, connected to IVs, or balding from chemotherapy. Aside from all of these physical obstacles, these children are the happiest children I have ever been around. They appreciate the small details in life, which I often forget to recognize. The joy that they find in the fishtanks, taking their first step after a surgery, or crafting a thanksgiving card are all things that we take for granted. It really helps me put my life into perspective.

It isn’t that bad.

For every complaint or fear you want to admit, turn it into a positive phrase. Be thankful that you are attending college and living the life of a normal student.

Think of the million of people who would die to be in your place.   

Stacey Oswald, originally from South Florida, came to Vanderbilt as a member of the class of 2015 and got involved with HerCampus her freshman year. She became assistant editor that year and is now the Campus Correspondent for Vanderbilt HC as a sophomore. Stacey is currently a columnist for Ask Miss A- Nashville and the life section of The Hustler. She's also very involved in her sorority, Kappa Delta, as well as Invisible Children. Outside of school and her extracurriculars, Stacey finds happiness in many sources, the most crucial being exercise and the sun. She loves to attend exercise classes and is an avid runner; she recently completed the Country Music Half Marathon. She also loves Vitamin D, especially when on the beach- though of course, she only soaks up the sun after applying SPF. A few of the things Stacey couldn't live without? Good food (especially from Sweet Cece's, Bricktops, and Samurai Sushi), great books (The Hypnotist's Love Story is a recent favorite), her family back in Florida, her wonderful boyfriend, and all of the great friends she's made at Vanderbilt.