On adaptability
“How can you do ‘new math’ with a ‘old math mind’?” said Linus.
Maybe you’re taking five courses, or more, you work part-time, volunteer on the weekends, you’re in a club, you’re taking additional courses online, you’re an avid blogger or you have friends that are in a really rough place and they need your help. We don’t know exactly where you are in your scholarly career but what we do know is that there is a sudden pressure to adapt.
First years, do you have pressure from your parents? You have to get your books, you don’t know where any of your classes are and you inadvertently took a class that is not working for you. You’re coming off the summer high and suddenly there’s no time to just hang out. You’re being pulled in a million different directions.
Second and third years, are you second-guessing where you are in your courses? Did you go into psychology but would rather be in business or vice versa? Did you get a new opportunity after doing an internship and you can’t see the point of your degree?
Fourth years, and those doing a “victory lap” or two, are you scared? Do you feel like you have wasted your time on your degree? Do you feel unprepared for what is coming next? Does it seem like people around you got it together and that you haven’t figured things out?
No matter what your situation, there is only one thing you can do: Adapt.
And hard as it may seem, you will adapt. You will get it together because it’s all you can do. And you can do it.
There will be a lot of trials and tribulations. You will become a nocturnal multitasker who can do anything that needs to get done in inhumane time-frames, despite what you may think. Why? Because, in a way you have no other choice. ‘New math’ will become ‘old math’ sooner than you think.
Don’t be freaked out by the change. Embrace it. Humans are the most adaptable creatures there are. It’s the second week and you’re already thinking about everything you need to do, and in just thinking that way, you’re starting the process of getting to the next chapter of your life.
Heck. Even we have adapted over the years.
Cheers to change!
— The Reflector Staff