You're On Your Own, Kid: Reflecting Reality of Toxic Academic Journey

A Midnight Rambling:

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 Taylor Swift is an icon, and her song "You're On Your Own, Kid" is a powerful anthem for anyone who has ever felt alone in their journey, remarkably in academic aspect. The lyrics are so relatable that I could just send you the link to the video and you'd be able to find a phrase that applies to your own reality.

Listen while you read :)

You're On Your Own, Kid—You always have been

You're On Your Own, Kid: Reflecting Reality of Toxic Academic Journey

The lyrics speaks to the sacrifices that you make as an academically ambitious student. It perfectly captures the feeling of giving your all to your studies, only to feel like you're not good enough. You've stayed up late, sacrificed your social life, and even starved yourself to meet deadlines.

I gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this

Academic pressure is a silent killer. It creeps up on you slowly, until you're consumed by the need to succeed. You set unrealistic expectations for yourself, and you're constantly comparing yourself to others. You feel desperate for success, panicking that you will never be good enough.

This doesn't just apply to students who are smart or hard-working, it applies to you. You all feel the pressure to succeed, and it can be overwhelming. You feel like you're on your own in your academic journey, and you don't have anyone to turn to for support: professors don't care, and your classmates are too busy competing with each other to be supportive.

In addition to the above, here are some other tips for dealing with the feeling of being on your own in your academic journey:

• Set realistic expectations. Don't expect to be perfect all the time. Everyone makes mistakes. Just learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward. DO NOT OVERTHINK IT.

• Take care of yourself. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, eating good foods and have a YOU-TIME. Taking care of your physical and mental health will help you cope with the stress of your studies and avoid burnout.

• Take breaks. It's important to take breaks from studying to relax and recharge. Go for a walk, listen to music, or spend time with friends and family—do something that stop your brain from racing around, something that is relaxing and fun.

• Celebrate your successes. When you achieve a goal, take some time to celebrate your success. This will help you stay motivated and focused on your goals. EVERY SUCCESS, BIG OR SMALL, MATTERS.

'Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned Everything you lose is a step you take So make the friendship bracelets Take the moment and taste it You've got no reason to be afraid