What guides your actions on a daily basis?

    I would love to say that I do all my work as soon as it’s assigned so I can relax on a later day. I would also love to say that everything I do on a daily basis is driven by my love for everything I do and my will to learn. However, sometimes I do things out of obligation. If you’re a student and you’re reading this you know what I mean. If you’re a parent, you’re probably judging me but I believe at some point you were like me too. And if you have never felt what I’m describing, well good for you. Sometimes I get home and I just want to rest and relax. I don’t want to write a 5 page essay that was assigned a month ago. At the time it was assigned I had plenty of time so of course I used up that time. But I have to because if I don’t my grades will drop and then my GPA will drop and then I won’t get into a good college and then I won’t get a good job and then I’ll spend my whole life wishing I put in a little more effort during those 4 years of high school. And so I do it. Not because I want to but because I have to.
    There are some things I do on my own volition. I love soccer. I play soccer. I watch soccer. The thrill, the adrenaline. Everyday, no matter how tired I am, I always look forward to soccer. I just took 2 tests in 1 day and I’m super stressed. I still can’t wait to play soccer, even more so because I am stressed. Not only do I love it but it helps me relieve stress. Just like with all forms of exercise, they relieve stress. But soccer in particular because I just love the game. I play soccer almost everyday in season not because I have to, but because I want to. I don’t do the same thing with soccer where I say “oh well I’ll just practice tomorrow.” I would play soccer the whole day if I could. Even when I’m tired, I don’t want to stop playing.
    I will admit, sometimes I have fun in school. Sometimes I feel really relaxed. But sometimes there are just weeks where it seems like the teachers all coordinate the tests and big projects to be due on the same day or around the same day. These weeks are hectic. Sometimes, what drives me to continue in these weeks is simply the will to get it over with. These weeks are so stress inducing I just want to dig up a hole and jump in it until we’re done with the tests and done with the projects. But I guess they’re just preparing you for the real world right. It feels as though it is all coordinated so you have one or two weeks without anything and then in one week you have projects or tests in every class. Obviously, I am exaggerating. But it certainly feels that way. It feels like I am piled under books and tests and it’s a huge weight on my shoulders. Once it’s over I feel extreme relief and the huge weight is lifted off my shoulders. The will to get the weight lifted off my shoulders, along with obligation, is what drives me in this situation.

Comments

  1. ZhaohanOctober 1, 2021 at 7:40 AM

    This was fun to read! It's a very relatable feeling to be dragged along by obligation while being crushed by impending deadlines. I think you could do a bit more reflection on what it means to live while being driven by obligation versus motivation, but it's up to you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ryan WangOctober 4, 2021 at 7:14 PM

    This post was so relatable! I really enjoyed reading your train of thought in the first paragraph and I liked how the entire essay was written in a conversational tone directed towards the reader. I think you could possibly add a specific scenario and then reflect on it. Great post!

    ReplyDelete

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