What First Year University Made Me Realize

My name is Jessica Monaghan and I am a student in an undergraduate science program at McMaster. First year university for many is a challenging adjustment period, and it was no different for me. Many times, it felt as though things would just keep getting worse no matter what I tried. I felt like there was something to be learned throughout all of this, so I turned to writing. I took a night and thought about what I had learned this year outside of academia, and I wrote it all down. I wanted to put a positive spin on things instead of choosing to dwell on the negatives. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my writing with others in the hopes that maybe it will resonate with someone else too.

Grief is not just over people; it is also over losing your dreams, leaving your comfort zone and letting go of the past
One day I will grieve this point in my life too. I will continue to grow and change; so for the moment, I must appreciate the good moments as they come
It is not okay to tear people down only to build them up later
Everyone is fighting their own individual battles, sometimes their actions have nothing to do with you
Yes, it is good to do your best to help others, but not at the cost of your emotional well being
You are doing good things for others, often even without realizing it
People have many different sides to their personality, and for me, though sometimes my depression may be the loudest in my mind, that in no way means it is winning. For I am confident, and when it counts the side of myself that I most identify with will challenge the negative thoughts; it will always win, depression will not.
When having a panic attack, move- get up and move- do anything else to take your mind off of the initial panic and to distance yourself from the place where the panic attack started. Even if that just means moving to the other end of the room.
The world is what you make of it
In order for people to accomplish great things, they must first believe they are capable of accomplishing great things. It is not enough to have a generation of geniuses; they must also possess confidence
I am sorry to myself for the times I have been my own worst enemy. I owe myself the same love I give to others
All periods in our lives are filled with both good and bad, it is important to remember that the bad times do not last forever and neither do the good times. So appreciate the good times, and hope for them again during the bad times, because they will always come back
Decide what you want to be happy; do not base major life decisions on anyone else’s expectations
Love is not conditional; people love me whether I am happy or sad. I love myself whether I am happy or sad
I am not limited by what I learned in the past. If I do not like something, I am free to see other perspectives and form my own opinion
Life has a way of working out
It is okay to give myself a break; to let my hair down and relax for a bit
Taking time for myself is just as important as taking time for my studies
No one else’s words can truly define me
I am stronger for my experiences: not because I went through them, but because I learned how to heal afterwards
Healing is an ongoing process
Hope is the most powerful feeling

By: Jessica Monaghan