“Don?t go chasing waterfalls, please stick to the rivers and lakes that you’re used to”? 1990?s pop singing sensation TLC.

It was easy for TLC to tell their legions of fans that they should be more realistic with their goals. TLC was a success story, so successful in fact that the message needn?t apply to them?those lucky stars.

As of right now, young people have more opportunities to succeed than ever before. In our dot.com era, we have more young entrepreneurs out there in the world not only making money, but they?re also making a difference. The media, such as Oprah and local news stations, have a fondness for covering such stories. Their goal is to report positive anecdotes so they make people feel good, which makes sense considering the likes of the Columbine and Santee shootings. However, there is one side effect to the bombardment of such inspirational stories: They can leave the impressionable recipient of good news with a feeling of inadequacy. And that feeling of not being successful is currently motivating many students into work overload.

It?s not unusual to find many students on campus, which on top of going to school full time, they also have to work and are part of organizations off campus. If you walk up to any random student and ask them what their schedule is like, you?d probably end up with a head-spinning relation and feel a sense of hopelessness.

Will it ever end?

In this day and age, where what car one drives, house they live in and who they date seemingly define one’s status in life, it?s hard for many people to grasp a true sense of confidence and acceptance. “If I just lost a few more pounds, if only I get this job, then I’ll be successful.” This way of thinking has surely crossed all of our minds, but are those kinds of thoughts really helpful?

It doesn?t help that every day we’re all confronted by messages that are created by demonic ad wizards telling us that consumers are not pretty, rich or cool enough unless they own (product). But more importantly, it?s our sphere of influence, friends and family that really could explain the reason why we students place so much pressure on ourselves.

The act of altering your personal definition of success is not a sign of weakness, oh contraire, it?s a sign of maturity because you?re acknowledging your limits and you?re willing to accept it.

Humans are not robots that are programmed to work all day. It’s the risks we take and dreams we make that show others what we’re made of. Students should continue to go after their dreams and goals, however, they should try not to kill themselves with self-depreciation and too many responsibilities in the process.

Besides, you sleep-deprived, Java junkies are always stressed out, so what good are you anyway?

Georgette Todd is a Journalism major. She can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].