How do students endure the challenge?
Students assemble in the courtyard during a fire drill. / PHOTO: Wes Brooks
Note from Editor: The following article is featured in our upcoming print edition of The Harbinger. Be on the lookout and grab a copy at the campuses of Illinois Central College later this week!
–
11/27/18 – East Peoria, IL – VIDEO BELOW
I’d approach anyone along my path through ICC’s halls. My question was: How do you overcome challenges, stay inspired and motivated? You see, this isn’t like seeing how many students are aware of mathematical formulations for quantum mechanics. It’s seeing how individuals deal with the things every student—every human—deals with; namely, the hurdles in life—the things we have to endure, get through, and rise above. Everyone you pass in the hallway has been dealt a hand in life. No hand is exempt from challenges (except the folks who’ve fooled you by sweeping their pain under the rug). Everyone has been dealt a challenge—whether a trivial difficulty or a tragedy.
Several students I talked to opened up to Harbinger Student Media, sharing their perspective on what gets them up each morning to tackle the day. Elizabeth Kerr’s motivation is found in her pursuit of a “dream job” to teach elementary students. She’s inspired by the classroom and wants to “influence young minds.” The foremost struggle on Elizabeth’s mind is scheduling—the juggle of coursework, getting good grades, finding time for academic support—which all has pressure. She seemed to be taking it in stride. Lauren Wilson, on the other hand, spoke candidly of her struggle to stay motivated amidst exhaustion. She said she is trying to keep her “stress level at a normal level.” I asked, “What’s a normal level?” She paused and then replied, “Not wanting to cry every day.” She chuckled. For Lauren, the pressure of others’ demands of her, such as “parents, professors, other schools” and “employers,” is mounting. She’s inspired by her faith and “the thought of helping people.” She hopes to improve life for others with her fascination for other cultures, especially Hispanic people. As far as the stress goes, she says, “It’ll all be okay.” She adds, “I need people to tell me that all the time, so I want to tell other people that.”
I’m reminded of when I once heard someone say that the college experience is like drinking from a fire hose. The typical stress of college is just a part of the package. It’s a struggle for those who are considered in good health, let alone for those with a health issue.
Dylan Simpson, who wrote Environmental Challenges for ICC and Central IL, had walking pneumonia from August until mid-October. He felt worn down. He reflects: “I just wanted to give up at some point. Obviously, you can’t. You’re a full-time college student. [ . . . ] You can’t stop. You gotta keep going even when you don’t want to because you know that your future holds in what you do today, here and now.”
Dylan finds encouragement in his family. He wants to set a good example for his 7 year-old brother who looks up to him “like crazy.” Dylan adds, “When things get hard, know that it might get harder, but it’s like a mountain—you’ll reach the peak of the badness and it will come back down to good. It will always level out and things will always get better no matter how bad it gets. Keep pushing on.”
Jada Alphonse is facing the challenge of completing college and being financial stable. “I don’t tell myself that it’s hard,” she says. “It’s something that you just gotta get over and, boom, everything is going to fall into place.” Daydreaming helps get her through. “Imagining that big picture at the end always helps to say, okay, right now, going through this is worth it just to get to that.” With a smile, she conveyed what keeps her motivated: “Someday, I’m probably gonna get to help a lot of people.”
This is a subject worth revisiting. I’ve only scratched the surface here. The student body has much more to say. Perhaps you’d like to share your story. Reach out to us at Harbinger Student Media! We’re never alone. We’re in this thing together, one step at a time. | VIDEO BELOW
By Wes Brooks