In today’s times of significant media influence and our busy lives, it can be difficult to maintain a sense of self-awareness. Whether it is from being a full-time student or a full-time worker (or both), it becomes tough to not get caught up in the events that happen around us. It’s even more tough nowadays to go with the flow, and actually take the time to stop and think.
However complicated it may be nowadays, it’s important to be able to be self-aware, keep your thoughts in check, and form your own opinions.
Just by being college students, we become easy targets. We’re hit from every angle with ads, credit card companies, political campaigns, focus groups and much more. It’s a huge pain and can keep you in a vice if you let it do so. While some would agree this is nearly impossible to avoid, it is however possible to make it a tad more tolerable.
Self-awareness is one of the key skills that every student going into college should possess to a certain extent. Not only does a constant state of awareness lessen the impact of media influence, but it also leads to independent thinking, which can result in better educational and occupational performance.
This is possibly the most important result of self-awareness, especially in today’s world – where social media is at its peak and news of a looming presidential election pervade it. News outlets are quick to put emphasis on what they think college students should be concerned of, but in all actuality, that’s precisely what we need to avoid.
Opinions, ideally, should be formed on your own, without someone telling you what they should be. Free thinking is a valuable trait that can be incredibly useful in a number of areas and lead to opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible.
It may be a difficult task for anyone, let alone a college student, but being a free thinker in today’s day and age can pay off incredibly well. Forming your own opinions and maintaining self-awareness can not only lead to better professional opportunities, but also can result in a happier lifestyle. There’s a time an place for everything; opinions included. Learn more and talk less, it’s that simple. Sometimes asking questions and keeping hold of your thoughts is the best way to form an identity of your own and avoid succumbing to those of others.
