Welcome back Bears! I hope that the beginning of everyone’s semester is going great.

Usually, when I’m in the process of writing a post, I like to think about what students, readers, or anyone, in general, would find the most interesting. I figured the best way to start this semester off was with a blog post that showcases myself and my thought processes.

I’ve been a Missouri State Bear for the last few years of my life, and I can honestly say that MSU has challenged me to grow and get through whatever hurdles are thrown my way. I do struggle sometimes but, at this point, I’ve found a variety of roads that have led to my success. I’m going to be a Missouri State Bear for another year, and I know that some of the issues I’ve faced during my first few years of college will come up again this year. Fortunately, I’ve met tons of great people on campus and in my personal life who have helped me overcome each one.

In this post, I want to share with you some of my worries and concerns and how I’ve learned to respond and overcome them.

Worries/Concerns and Responses

• Feeling Incapable or Inadequate: Being a business major has been tough. Sometimes I feel like I could be doing better and have considered changing majors as an easy way out. I know I can do the work, but it feels like others can do it better.
  • My response: There is always going to be someone to compare yourself with, but comparisons are not usually helpful. I’ve challenged myself to know my worth and rely on my hard work to showcase itself.

• Burning myself out: Everyone has a limit and sometimes I get to a point where I’m tired or I’m in a pattern that I just can’t shake.
  • My response: I tell myself it’s okay to be tired or find myself in a position where I feel drained. I acknowledge what I’m going through, talk to as many people as I can and remember that taking time away from my studies can have a positive effect on my work.

• Making friends is hard for me: College is entirely different from high school from just about every angle and nothing prepared me for creating friendships that weren’t already formed during earlier years.
  • My response: Having friends is a great benefit, but it doesn’t make me. I’ve decided to focus on making friends when I’m ready, not when others tell me I need to. I find that I like meeting new people and just being a good friend/resource.

• I’m graduating a year later than projected (a story for a future post): The year 2021 was supposed to be my final year at MSU. When it didn’t turn out that way, “past Alex” had a problem with it. I don’t like feeling like I’m being left behind or that I messed things up for myself.
  • My response: Even though “past Alex” had a problem with graduating later, “present Alex” understands that college isn’t a race. I remind myself that when you’re in college you compete with yourself to get where you want to be; competing against others will just wear you down.

Takeaway

My worries and concerns are going to stay with me forever and I see that as a true testament to my growth. They reassure me that I can get past anything. Coming to Missouri State has been one of the best decisions I ever made because, without the support systems on campus or my family, I probably wouldn’t be able to showcase any growth or be able to share my journey. I’m going to be a Bear for a while longer and I’m going to enjoy every second.

Your experiences as a Missouri State Bear are going to be different from mine, but maybe you’ll have some of the same worries or concerns. Even if you have different ones, I hope that by sharing my experiences with you, you’ll see how to make good outcomes from anything negative you might encounter.

See you next post! There are some interesting topics coming.

~Alexandria

(Bio: I’m the middle child of seven kids in my immediate family. I’m currently a Senior Business major at Missouri State University.)