The Art of Turning Challenges Into Opportunities

Did you enjoy playing Mario Kart on Nintendo?

Clearing the laps, running ahead but sometimes lagging behind, and slipping on the banana peels? A student’s journey throughout college is similar to that, but unlike Mario, who kept pursuing his mission, many students leave the competition mid-way.

The overwhelmingness of every challenge often causes students to give up, as studies show that the human brain is prone to give weight to negative interactions more than positive ones, which is also reflected in a student’s perception of their problems.

Say No to “Go With the Flow”

Many students think dropping out can help them like it did others, which is a myth. What if you lose a great chance to get a scholarship or a new job?

We often ignore opportunities waiting around the corner only to follow what others are doing. Some may drop out at 19 and start a business at 20, while others who do the same may not find work until 30. Students must understand not every path is for everyone. One out of a hundred college dropouts may succeed in launching their own start-up. While the other ninety-nine may end up jobless and bankrupt. That being the case, calculate your outcomes, aims, and options, then take the necessary step. Instead of following others mindlessly, pave your path. Determine your potential, then take wise action.   

Let Your Open-Mindedness Lead the Way

Students’ college hurdles can be addressed as a complimentary opportunity.

Draw a comparison between the challenges and the outcomes. Justify whether the difficulties you’re facing are worth the result. Are the consequences positive, long-lasting, or life-altering? If you get a positive answer to these questions, embracing the challenges with an optimistic mind is better. Try finding the good in every situation; for example, if an assignment consumes a lot of your time, then take it as a cue to learn time management. Use these challenges to self-reflect and segregate your strengths from weaknesses.

How Did You Come So Far?

Making a cake without a recipe is bound to end horribly. Doing things for the first time or navigating through problems without experience is difficult but possible if you have a set of guidelines. You can find wisdom from books, people, and surroundings or look into your past experiences.

Look at yourself and your journey, and ask how you made it this far in life. Was it a friend who motivated you, or was it yourself? Was there a purpose behind it? Praising your success and holding yourself accountable encourages you to find good even in the most challenging times and helps boosts your morale.

A Helping Hand Is All You Need

Several movies and dramas depict the scene where the main character is on the verge of suicide, falling off a tall cliff until a hand grips them with full force and saves their life.

Fortunately, such characters are also present in our lives, and we can sometimes ask for their help. These heroes don’t wear capes, but they save us just by listening to our problems patiently, understanding us, and providing a sound and wise solution. Leslie Hayes had his father, Dr. Eugene Hayes, to rescue him. Together, they have compiled a fun and educative guide on college life and how students can learn valuable lessons from it in their book, “The Unofficial Guide to Surviving College.” Grab your copy now on Amazon.