On the Sunday night before Spring Semester started, I made the grave mistake of watching multiple interviews of famous actors and actresses. Emma Watson, sporting her usual elegant hair and makeup, paired with classy and fashionable clothing, described trials and tribulations associated with any child acting audition: what to wear, learning lines, dealing with fame, etc. As her comical anecdotes filled my headphones, I couldn’t help but feel like a jealous little girl. I should have been the one born in the right city, with the right opportunities. I want it just as much as Emma wanted it, so why am I just a college student in Utah?
After a few days of calming breaths and countless encouraging phone conversations with my mother, it finally dawned on me. Not only is the definition of success subjective to each person, but there also isn’t (or shouldn’t be) a race to the “finish line,” because happiness doesn’t have a final destination.
I, as well as many college students I know, get down on myself because I haven’t achieved everything on my career to-do list. What I tend to overlook is that in order to reach the goals and check points I have created for myself, I have to get started somewhere. Different opportunities I’ve been given, jobs I’ve had, scholarships I’ve received, all of these “small” triumphs have gotten me to this point on my path. I would not be heading in a direction where I will eventually have the chance to reach my goals had I not taken the steps I did to get to where I am now. By overlooking what we’ve already done for ourselves, we are effectively undercutting our strengths and achievements.
“But Elyse, some people are born with more resources than others. What if I want it really bad? How can I help but be jealous?” Easy! Success does not equal fame, money or cars. Well, it might for some, but that doesn’t have to be your definition. Because success is not the same for every person, we can choose the definition we want for ourselves. For example, I’m sad that I’m not working my dream job right now. However, because I know my degree will help me get there, I can view being in college as a successful step.
It’s okay that I’m not dancing on Broadway or writing for The Skimm. It’s okay that you’re not holding a seat in the Senate, but it helps that you’re studying political science and planning on going to law school. “20 under 20” may not be a plausible idea, because who said there was a time limit on success?