AJ: Dear Anna

Hi Anna,
I started writing a comment to your blog, but I realized that I had so many things to say, that it would be very awkward and long in a comment. I just opted to write a whole new entry. I have a disclaimer to make. I really would like to say things that would comfort you and hopefully ease your feeling of anxiety. But in reality, I'm no psychologist, and as hopeful as I am, I don't know if I'm really good at doing that.

I've been talking to my roommate Sue often lately. As a aspiring doctor and medical student, she seems to have similar stresses. "I'm tired of life", "I don't know if I can make it." "What am I doing with my life?" And I have tried consoling her. But I really can't help.

You're right. The idea that you need to struggle to accomplish something in life is bogus to look right in the face at the moment. It's only an idea that you realize when you look back. Altogether, I don't think it's helping the case right at THIS MOMENT. Are there other things that may actually help?

Stop thinking about the future and what might happen. What do you have to do? Right now? I like the idea of college in that, there are some set schedules and classes, work that you are required to do. You can drop everything else in your life and just focus on just that. Don't focus on the grades - focus on the information that you want to learn in order to do what you want to do. Focus on what you want to get finished. Once that is settled, even sleep and lethargy won't stop you from finishing. All the extra books, dance,clubs might entice you but it's keeping you from your goal and maybe it just has to be put aside for awhile.
- Make a schedule with deadlines, get through it. Its harder than it sounds. I know, I procrastinate.
Is there anything that can alleviate your schedule? So I heard that Arabic isn't your most favorite topic. If you don't like it, and it's such a difficult language, I would imagine studying for it is difficult. Can you take it pass/no pass? Save it for the summer to retake or something like that? You might not think you have time, but from the experience of being in classes with a hoard of pre-meds. Class planning, the best way to take a class without hurting your GPA, the best classes and interests for your resume and such is the bulk of the premed road to success.
Lastly, just for your mental state- You are not failing at life. Just the fact that you have a goal, you mean to accomplish it has already put you on top of so many others. Failing your current goal (that ridiculous notion) doesn't mean that you've failed or are going to fail everything you mean to do. There are millions of ways to save the world, some are just not the most direct paths. They're there.
Besides, what you're going through right now is what others want to know happened. Know that if you can get through this, anything else that they put in front of you will be accomplished. Find your strategy.
Meanwhile, if you can handle the work, I have to say I kind of enjoy the busyness. I like having something that I'm passionate about and am willing to throw my life into. It really makes it feel like you've accomplished.
Most of all, you know that we're behind you and cheering you on 100%.
This is all I have to offer. I cannot help you, nor will comforting you help you get what you want. I don't even know if my advice is sound. It seems logical to me and I'm trying to work my way through it. It's still in a preliminary test in which I haven't even found a main focus yet. Sometimes I envy that you have such a set idea to work with, but that's another rant.

Jiayou Anna!
- Jessica