Self-control. Strength of mind. Willpower. It’s all the same and the one thing that’s hard to find in college.
Becoming a freshman, you’re excited to ditch mama’s overcooked broccoli casserole and learn how to handle your own nutrition and juggle a slice of BBQ chicken pizza, a bag of potato chips and of 6-pack of Pepsi at the same time.
Learning how to do all this while not paying a visit to the Ritchie Center in an entire week is quite commendable and to be honest, probably common for most of us.
Have we no sense of determination, no self-discipline? If one more sugar cookie is taken from the desert table at Nelson, a restraining order will have to be issued. Moreover, those luscious looking cakes that sit next to the cookies are troublesome to set eyes on without sneaking one out of the dining hall.
Though food stands at the beginning of a lengthy list of things to pass up at college, there are many contributing factors that vie to steal our willpower.
Getting smashed at parties or being under the influence on a weeknight is another will-breaking vice we often indulge in. Why make college life even more stressful than it already is? Or better yet, who says “no pain, no gain” and applies it to having a good time? Skip the hangover and instead, remember what you did last night.
On that note, let’s talk Facebook. You don’t want your drunken escapades to end up all over your wall the next day. So make an effort to stay off Facebook. Resist hitting the refresh button every minute, hoping that someone liked your comment. Limit your connections, for I doubt it’s necessary to send a friend request to your roommate, or even your statistics professor. It may be fun at times to update your status, but when it comes down to it, Facebook is a lazy tool.
As an alternative, let’s force ourselves to run to the gym but without indulging in a plate of mac & cheese afterwards. Let’s get our work done earlier before we go out on Saturday night. If it’s possible, let’s try not to opt for watching re-runs of “Jersey Shore” or “16 and Pregnant” (if it’s possible).
As for a reward, treat yourself. One day of the week, go for a plateful of fries, without the side of willpower.
