Words by Glenniedel Terania
Remember when you were still excited for college because it meant you got to choose your own schedule, ditch school uniforms, and live with your friends at dormitories/boarding houses? You may have missed one thing, though. College also means bigger responsibilities. Whether you’re on your first year or nth year, keeping up with all of the responsibilities that come with being a college student can be difficult.
Sometimes, we tend to focus on our failures and it only makes us feel bad about ourselves. But we shouldn’t be too brutal to ourselves all the time. Truth is, we actually have small victories everyday, but we tend to overlook them. So to remind you that you’re a winner everyday, here are some low key victories you should remind yourself of.
5 Small College Victories that Prove You’re a Winner
5. Eating a real meal
With the tight schedule and a lack of budget, deciding what to eat can be a bit tricky. Most students settle for pancit canton or fast food. This might not seem like a problem, but if you that way everyday, it may take a toll on your health. So, when you eat a rice meal (a.k.a. real meal,) you should feel super proud of yourself. Plus points if you prepared it at home.
4. Beating the deadline
“I perform better when I am cramming.” Does this line ring a bell? We pride ourselves on being master crammers, claiming that we often deliver better results when rushed. Planning and doing requirements beforehand gives you more time to improve, though. So, when you finish a requirement even before the set deadline, treat yourself to an ice cream. 
3. Going to bed at a reasonable time
Or just going to bed, for that matter. With a mountain of readings to read, exams to study for, and performances to practice, you probably go to bed at 3am (if you’re lucky). Sometimes, you might not even sleep at all. Without proper sleep, your body won’t be able to function well, though. So, when you sleep earlier than usual, don’t be too guilty. You deserve it!
2. Waking up for your 7am class
Let’s face it: no one wants to wake up before 5 am. But given the horrendous QC traffic (ehem Commonwealth), waking up later than 5am is equal to an automatic late in attendance, whether you like it or not. This is especially true for those who do not stay at dorms near their universities. Waking up early can be a real struggle, so when you wake up before your alarm rings, you know you’ve started your day right.
1. Participating in class
You spent the whole time running your answer in your head until the professor moved to another topic and you didn’t get the chance to contribute to the class discussion. It sucks, especially if you know the answer because you read it the night before. What sucks more is when your professor calls you and you do not know the answer to his question. So, when you actually get to participate in class discussions, it’s okay to be proud of yourself.
College can sometimes get the best of you, so cut yourself some slack and give yourself a pat on the back for your accomplishments. After all, you exerted effort to achieve them, regardless of how small they may seem.
What are your other low-key achievements? Share them with us!
