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So, it’s midterms—actually, it’s been midterms. You may be in the midst of them, or you may be past them, but ., just suppose you’re in the midterms aftermath and your professor has suddenly and mysteriously developed the “Charlie Brown teacher drawl”This article is for you as much as the next overworked and under-slept student.
The purpose of a midterms exhortation is to bring you a directive, some catch-all solution to being overwhelmed by your academics. However, in order to undertake a directive, one must first engage in a “purge.”
No, his is not an exhortation to murder; rather, it’s about an annihilation of one habit or unfavorable attitude to make room for something else, something better, to take its place. Now, you may be wondering at this point, “Why must I remove such-and-such bad habit, when I already got all A’s?” To which I would respond, “What’s your secret?”
Just kidding.
If this is you, or if you’re more like me and stumble along the academic trail with less ease, I would simply say to you: “Stop torturing yourself!”
Too many lovely young students are in a grievous headspace where school has become some monstrous conglomeration of assignments, tests, presentations, second tests, late-night study sessions and so on. This unruly person is subjected to a throng of emotional turmoil and is unable to wrap his or her head around the bigger question of “Why am I doing this to myself?”
Why indeed?
Perhaps the answer is that there is more to school than the infamous “Just do it” attitude which afflicts our American culture. Perhaps you are destined for more.
I am reminded of a scene from the beloved Chronicles of Narnia, whenLucy finds herself lost and alone in a ship at sea. When she is at her lowest, and there seems no hope for escape, an albatross encircles the ship and speaks to the young girl, whispering “Courage, dear heart.” Lucy is sure the voice is Aslan’s.
Aslan’s words are a reminder that there is something higher than our fears. But did Lucy simply hear the voice and drop her fears on the spot? No! Rather, she let go of her reaction to fear and allowed courage to fill the void where her anxiety had previously been.
How can we all imitate Lucy’s noble act of courage? It is not impossible to be courageous, but it is more difficult than holding onto a way of life that is preferable and easier, like having your mom order your food at the restaurant instead of you.
Having your mom order is an easy fix at the moment, and you still get to eat. However, maybe you shouldn’t do that to your mom, and maybe, one day, developing personal agency would come in handy.
Now, I trust you know you’re not alone. Everyone struggles with falling into frantic, or passive, box-checking from time to time.
Remember in these moments the spirit of St. Nicodemus, who said, “Every time you fall into some pardonable transgression, even if it happens 1000 times a day, as soon as you notice it, do not torture yourself and so waste your time without profit, but at once humble yourself and, conscious of your weakness, turn to God with hope and call to Him from the depths of your heart.”
According to this wise saint, to torture yourself is to “waste your time without profit.” The solution? To “at once humble yourself.” Humility, once attained, is a virtue which brings great freedom to the bearer.
My exhortation, then, is this: the next time you’re at prayer, ask for humility, that painful, yet necessary, ego-annihilation. Soon, God willing, you will find that it is a lot more difficult to torture yourself about school. Remember: courage, dear heart!
Rebecca Dalsass is a junior English major. She is an officer for the Thomistic Institute at the University of Dallas.