What excellence during a semester really looks like

“Enjoy the little things in life because one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.”
Kurt Vonnegut

Somewhere between everyday 8 a.m. classes and 11:59 p.m deadlines lies a version of you that deserves far more credit than you give yourself.

What? Excellence.

Excellence doesn’t always look perfect. It’s not always the grades, the colour-coded calendars, waking up at 6 a.m. or having your life figured out by week 3 of classes.

Sometimes, excellence can also look like getting through the semester even if you’re tired or exhausted.

And honestly? That kind of resilience deserves so much credit.

Behind the scenes

a man holding a film board and doing he "cut" motion — *Via GIPHY*

There’s this pressure in student life to always appear like you’re thriving, like you’ve got everything under control and have never once been overwhelmed.

But behind the scenes, most students are doing their best just to survive the semester. The reality is that being a student is a full-time experience, even if your schedule only highlights the lecture timings.

Your brain is constantly switching and balancing between lectures, assignments and group projects — a recipe for the ultimate burnout.

Excellence is more than transcripts

A man flexing while on a mountain rock climbing — *Via GIPHY*

Let’s be real, students balance so much more than what shows up on a transcript. Between multiple deadlines, part-time jobs, financial responsibilities and figuring out your future while trying to stay present can take hard work.

It’s easy to think excellence only belongs to the students who seem like they have it all together. But in reality, excellence can simply be making it to class on days when you just didn’t feel like showing up.

It can be raising your hand in class, asking questions even when you feel like your questions are “stupid” or when you are taking notes for a lecture, even after a bad night of sleep. These moments matter.

They matter because they are proof that you’re trying.

Your efforts count more than you think

A woman holding up a gold star — *Via GIPHY*

We don’t say this enough, but all your effort counts.

Excellence isn’t a perfect, flawless performance. It’s in the consistent effort to make it perfect.

Remember when you submitted an assignment at 11:59 p.m with your laptop overheating, when you studied for your midterms even when you felt unprepared or think of the time when you joined a club.

These aren’t “small” wins. These are signs that you’re building discipline, responsibility and confidence. That’s what excellence looks like in real life.

Excellence is perseverance

a man saying, "You Never Give Up!" — *Via GIPHY*

With great student life comes great burnout, stress and anxiety.

And to still work through it all is excellence. Continuing after a bad grade or redoing an assignment after feedback is perseverance.

Choosing to try again and moving forward even when your life feels heavy takes a lot of strength. That is excellence.

Your excellence in honesty

a man saying "for real real" — *Via GIPHY*

Sometimes, excellence is when you are honest with yourself.

Like when you recognize that you’re overwhelmed and decide to take a break. Or when you say no to something, even if you really wanted to do it because you could really use the rest.

Understanding that rest is important and that your body isn’t a machine can help you be less overwhelmed.

You’re allowed to pause and reset. And you are most definitely allowed to protect your peace. That is also excellence.

Black Excellence Scholarship

a woman saying "you deserve everything and so much more" — *Via GIPHY*

Courage behind goals and efforts behind progress deserve to be recognized, supported and of course, celebrated.

That’s why opportunities like the IGNITE Black Excellence Scholarship matter.

Created to celebrate outstanding students and upcoming leaders within the Black community at Humber Polytechnic and the University of Guelph-Humber, this is more than financial support, it’s a reminder that your efforts are seen.

Applications for the Black Excellence Scholarship opened on Feb. 1, and this is your sign to apply — because your work deserves recognition!

Not perfection, just persistence

a image of a cowboy hat with the caption reading, "Hats off to your dedication!" — *Via GIPHY*

If you’re pushing through this semester, you’re already showing excellence in the most real way possible. You don’t need to have everything figured out as long as you are working, growing and continuing to do your best.

And if you’re looking for a sign? This is it. Sometimes a semester can look like an episode of a survival show, while other days it can be a breeze. What matters is that you keep going.

And if you’ve made it this far into the semester? You’re doing something right.

Feature image courtesy of NEOM via Unsplash.

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