[ Courage is grace under pressure ]

Economic Pressure + Peer Pressure + Parental Pressure + Societal Pressure + Work Pressure = migraine pressure.

Which have I experienced? How about them all. I'm a full time student, with big time loans. I have three jobs. I try to keep up with my parents expectations, as well as graduate and get a job like everyone expects. Meanwhile trying to keep up with all my friends. Balance isn't easy, and isn't really happening. But that is how it goes. College is chaotic, but I enjoy it this way. A boss of mine explains it something like this; there is good stress and there is bad stress. The good stress is well, good, and the bad stress isn't so good. Things can be stressful but it leads you to become more driven, more succesful. But when the stress gets really bad, it can cause you to shut down. Well, its something like that. After four years you'd think I'd have it memorized.
     He has a point though. The pressures will gang up on you, but you just have to handle them in stride. Letting things overwhelm you will become counterproductive and just lead you down a darker path.
      When the pressures of everything build up for me I try to just step back and look at the big picture. I'll get through it, it might not be easy, but I will. I like to tackle things one-by-one so I can check them off a list. (Checking off the last thing on you to-do list is one of the best feelings. Yea, I'm kind of nerdy sometimes. I also have a thing for post-it notes. ) Sometimes the pressures get to be too much, I have failed a class before because I couldn't keep up with anything. I wasn't happy, but it taught me better time management. Good comes out of the bad, at least that is what I like to think.