A clean state of mind is looked upon as the ideal condition to tackle life’s journeys. Nevertheless, achieving this mental state does not always prove easy. Especially with the demanding and overwhelming aspects of college life, students inevitably face burnouts and slumps. Ultimately, it is through one’s personal experiences that one acquires the know-how to overcome bouts of emotional deterioration. In hopes to gain insight into the different methods of prevailing self-defeating mindsets, The Granite Tower (GT) interviewed students at Korea University (KU) about the trials and tribulations of setting these inner demons to rest.

Han Jiwon (’19, Life Sciences)

I normally experience slumps when I follow the same routine for an extended period of time and when my day-to-day life becomes repetitive. Adhering to unchanging lifestyles can make life feel dull and purposeless, and when I catch myself trapped in this condition, I realize that I am in a slump. The first thing I do in this situation is to think and reflect. I start pondering on the specifics of what might have caused this monotony. Then, I think of small things that can change up my day. These tweaks include small, mundane activities I had not done for a long time: going out to a nice café, taking a stroll, or baking. I venture into experiences I normally overlook that can lift my mood. Participating in new activities makes me feel excited and spontaneous, and it helps me realize that there is much more to life that I can seamlessly incorporate into my daily routine.

Kim Tae-Yoon (’21, Business Administration)

People tend to focus more on their weaknesses than on their merits. This is inevitable because the moments in life where we feel incompetent leave a stronger imprint in our minds. During my busiest year of high school, I used to always blame myself for not being good enough and capable of fulfilling my responsibilities. I was in a ditch of self-doubt. Yet, I found myself slowly grappling my way out of this hole by listening to the people around me. I began to ask my friends whether they considered me to be a good friend and why they thought so. Although they seemed reluctant to answer at first, their responses eventually restored my self-esteem and confidence. Hearing about my strengths from a third-person perspective allowed me to look at myself from a new angle. Therefore, I believe the bonds you build with others are precious gems to your mental well-being. If you find that your bustling life is eating away at your mental health, blocking you from moving on with life, I suggest you take a break and look around to listen to the people around you as I did. You will probably learn that you are much more than you make yourself to be.

Lee Chaewon (’18, French Language & Literature)

I once went through an identity-related slump when I realized I knew very little about who I was. Everyone else seemed confident and decisive about themselves and their dreams, but I felt as if I had no clear aspirations or unique assets. To break away from this mental deadlock, I delved into various club activities, extra-curricular projects, and new hobbies to figure out what I enjoy and excel in. Luckily, I was able to discover what truly intrigued me, and even met a group of diverse people along the way. In retrospect, I do not recommend acting out based on comparisons you make between yourself and other people. Personally, it was only when I focused more on myself than I did on others that I could overcome this toxic mindset. If you find yourself in a slump like mine, remember that individuals, as different as they are, have their distinct strengths and pace in dealing with life. It is never too late to undertake new challenges and ultimately figure out where the path of your future lies.

Kim Suhyoung (’20, Division of International Studies)

Regardless of my determination to remain consistent and grounded, I often feel the urge to start over, fresh and clean. Yet, it is not always easy to acquire this refreshed mindset and attitude with all the habits and traits that you have developed, continuously trying to creep back to you. This conflict between your inclination to seek change and embedded tendencies is what I consider as a slump. Initially, I attempted to situate my mind in a now or never position to at least force myself to work for a new beginning. Being tormented by the past will not get me anywhere if I do not make a change now. However, this method tends to make you a bit harsh on yourself. So recently, I began to engage with others and listen to their unique wisdom to gain intuition about my current struggles. This helps me view myself in a much more objective light. Especially in situations where I overcomplicate things, novel input from conversing with my friends opens me up to new and more simple perspectives I can use to tackle my problems. I would have been trapped and stuck in the clutter of my thoughts otherwise.