The Myth of Missing Out

It’s what prevents students from putting in the work and also what makes so called nerds feel as if they are not cool. Students feel that if they say no to the party or hanging out at the mall that they will some how be missing out on the fun. Students form the belief that life is passing them by when their heads are buried in the books.

Now I am not an advocate for students dedicating their entire lives solely to academics, balance is of utmost importance. However there will be the inevitable occasion where sacrificing a day or night of fun for a night in the books is the action that must be encouraged. The problem that students have is their outlook on school work: school work is boring and when I do it I am unhappy and when I’m not doing it all is bliss. However this is a very narrow outlook on life.

There are actually many aspects of our lives that need attention if we are to experience a sense of fulfillment. To name a few, there is, health and wellness, spiritual, emotional, family, friends and of course education. In order to live a happy and purposeful life attention must be given to all areas. If any of these areas are ignored, your life becomes lopsided. There is a scripture in the bible that puts it succinctly: ‘there is a time and place for everything under the sun.’ There is a time for socializing with friends and a time to buckle down and do some work.

The truth is life is no fun if you are only spending time with your friends and ignoring the need to study. At the end of your school life because of the lack of attention given to your work you may find it difficult to get into college. In other words in the present we must always be thinking about our future selves. An investment in study time now will pay much dividends in the future. It’s a fundamental principle in life, what a man sows that shall he reap.

So missing out is truly a myth, what you are actually doing is ensuring that you are giving attention to all areas of your life including your academics. You are not missing out, you are making a crucial investment in your future self!