Standing out in a crowd

Question: Even though I love IU, I do not like the competition among students. I never feel like I stand out among my peers and classmates. What can I do so that I don’t always feel intimated?

Answer: It is very normal to feel lost in the crowd at a big university like IU where there always seems to be something bigger and better than you. A sense of constant competition can be intimidating and impossible, but only if you let it keep you down. Here are some guidelines on how to stay focused and fight through any feelings of fear during your college career.

1. Focus on being your best, not everyone else’s best. No matter where you go in life, whether it be a lecture, a job position or even a fun extracurricular activity, there will always be someone “better” than you. On the other hand, there will always be someone who isn’t as great as you are as well. Your job isn’t to become the greatest and most skilled student of all time. Your job is to use your skills to improve. No two people are the same, and your goal should be to make the most of your unique abilities and bring something new to the table. If you are constantly competing to be the “best,” you are focused on the wrong piece of the puzzle.

2. Don’t lose sight of the big picture. Even though college is said to be the best four years of your life, it is a learning process full of ups and downs. When finals week comes, it may seem like your whole life is on the line with tests and getting a 4.0 GPA, when in reality, your main job is to learn what you love and engage in an educational environment. Not everyone graduates college with a dream job. As young students, we have to work up to our potential. Our job is to take advantage of the numerous opportunities that can open our eyes to what we love. Take a class that seems interesting, go to a call-out meeting or see a student-run show. You may find a new skill, interest or passion that could add a whole new platform of possibilities.

3. Find a leadership opportunity. Sometimes we get the wrong impression that we should be able to do everything under the sun in college. In reality, being a full-time student is a full-time job and it is best to pick involvement wisely without loading up your plate too high. Find a leadership opportunity that suits you and give it enough time, commitment and care to where you really benefit from the experience of being in charge. Leading a group, making decisions and practicing responsibility gives you a new level of authority and is very important practice for the future.

This question was contributed by the IDS staff. You can email Eshley your own advice question at arts@idsnews.com.