Taking your own path

Your journey is unique and should not be compared to others

MARIA SIMPSON / ASST. OPINION EDITOR / THE USD VISTA

Congratulations Toreros! You’ve made it more than halfway through the semester. As the end of the fall semester draws near, we are all facing heavy work loads and momentous occasions: grades are coming out, class registration for next semester has begun, sports teams are reaching the end of their seasons, and students are working hard on their midterms. This is an incredibly important time in the school year, but it is also a time that can have a huge mental impact on people in a number of ways. One of these impacts which affects many students is comparing oneself to those around them. 

At times like this, when academic success is being heavily measured and discussed, it is so easy to compare your own grades and achievements to those around you. I know that I often do. GPAs, grades, and test scores can become one’s whole world sometimes. It is only natural to want to see how you stand compared to your friends and peers, but taking that observation and elevating it to become a totally unachievable standard is unhealthy. We see the success of others and decide that if we are not at that same level at that exact same point in time, that is failure. 

I fell into this trap for such a long time. I always strived for the highest grades on tests, the best GPA, and I tried to be the most involved and hardworking person so that I was not sinking below the standard that I had built up in my head. At times, I still fall back into this mindset. But when I take a step back and remind myself that I am a unique individual, going on my own path, it seems ridiculous to base my success on people who are different from me in so many ways. 

Every single person is on their own unique individual path in life. Because we are all so different in so many wonderful ways, it is impossible to adequately compare one to another. 

It is so important for everyone to take their journey at their own pace, and not worry about if they might seem like a late bloomer next to others. Sometimes, it takes longer for that internship to happen, for that job opportunity to open up, or to finally land that research position, and there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, there are many examples of celebrities who finally found success in their fields much later in life than what we tend to think is typical. 

Stan Lee did not make it big as a comic book author until he created Fantastic Four when he was 39 years old, opening what would be a huge window of opportunity for him. 

Vera Wang did not begin pursuing a full-time career as a designer until later in life and was 40 when she launched her hit bridal collection that brought her to fame. 

Leslie Jones of SNL fame was a fairly unknown stand-up comedian for years and was not hired as a cast member of Saturday Night Live until she was 47; just a few years later, she received an Emmy Award.

Our culture and the media tend to celebrate young success, which is no doubt impressive, but perhaps the people who have the courage to pursue such success later in life, by following the path that is best suited for them, should be more recognized for their perseverance. As these examples and many others like them show, you never know what life has in store for you or what great destinations your path will take you on, so it is best to take the ride and enjoy it, rather than thinking only how quickly other people are moving along and their accomplishments in that moment. 

Comparing yourself to others can hinder your own journey. Sometimes we tend to drive ourselves crazy attempting to measure up to others. We begin to slowly tumble downhill when our thoughts become invaded with how our grades, extracurricular achievements, appearance, social life, and more compared to those around us. These thoughts can turn into self-deprecating and even hateful attitudes towards ourselves. But this comparison is unfair. 

It is completely normal to feel pressured by others to mirror their steps in life or to feel like you are falling behind. Just remember, that even if that pressure is coming from someone with the same major or career path, your journey to that destination is always going to be different from theirs and whether you arrive before or after them, your achievements still hold worth. Every person is beautiful just as they are and we all have potential. It may just take longer to unlock it for some than others. 

Life is a journey for every one of us. And no one is doing it perfectly. But by having the courage to take the path that works best for you, you are doing it right. As you look at grades this semester and consider your involvement and achievements, remember that as long as you worked your hardest and you are doing what you love, that is enough. 

Never be afraid to follow your own path, even if it looks different from someone else’s. We have so much time ahead of us to discover where our passions lie and what that final destination looks like.