From the famous song by Queen, We are the Champions, we get these lines :
I’ve paid my dues
Time after time
I’ve done my sentence
But committed no crime
One of the top coaches in wrestling, Tom Ryan, just released a book titled, “Chosen Suffering” about the price we have to pay for success.
Paulo Coehlo, author of The Alchemist, famously stated, “The pain of yesterday is the strength of today.”
Success and suffering are often linked. If you want to be great at something, you will likely have to go through difficult ordeals in your journey. We see this very clearly in sports, where physical exertion is required for improvement. An athlete cannot get stronger without pushing their muscles to fatigue and mentally pushing themselves past their barriers.
Academic success is no different from success in any other area of your life. If you want to be great, you will have to pay your dues and gain strength through suffering. You will not become the student you hope to be through an easy, challenge-free path. Here are three ways you will need to suffer for the success you are pushing for as a student.
You will suffer your social life
The best students cannot go out to parties or engage in risky behavior. They can’t talk to their friends throughout class and let distractions rule them. Peer pressure can’t overrule the goals they have set. Great academics do have a social life and this does not mean that you can’t have friends. It does mean two things, however:
- You must be selective about your circle. Your closest friends need to be motivators and goal-chasers. They will be a system of support and accountability to you. If your friends do not inspire you to achieve your goals, they aren’t fulfilling the role you need them to fill as a friend. Same goes for you, as you need to inspire your friends and keep them accountable to their goals.
- You must be selective about your time. Know your priorities and make sure you are fitting your friends into those priorities. It’s important to find a strong balance so you aren’t pushing off and ignoring your friends, but you aren’t ignoring your responsibilities either. Friendship takes time and effort. Be intentional!
You will suffer your mental endurance
Some academic subjects will be complicated for you. Some lessons will not be picked up easily. Good students will look for shortcuts, find a quick way to get their work done, and submit it as is. Only the best students will push themselves beyond the bounds of the classroom, finding tutors, tutorial videos, and outside resources to learn and master the difficult topics.
If you want to go down as a great in school, your mental endurance will be tested. Do you have the mental toughness needed to go an extra mile in your learning? Even on days when you are tired or don’t feel like it? Doing the extra and choosing to test your learning limits will need to be a regular, consistent action.
If you ever say, “I really don’t get this,” it should become a cue to then say, “but I will.” When you become satisfied with not understanding a concept, you will be in great danger of slipping to average.
You will suffer your comfort zone
The best academics have to be involved as a leader. The skills you learn as a trail-blazer are a requirement to overcoming the most difficult academic situations. Every time you fight to stay inside your comfort zone, you are pushing yourself away from the student that you could be. Here are some “look-fors” in terms of your comfort zone:
Are you involved in any clubs/organizations on campus? If the answer is no, get involved! Campus involvement helps good students to become great, improves your social circle with other motivated students, and continues to build the character you are trying to develop in class.
Are you running for leadership positions in those clubs/organizations? The process of running will force you to speak publicly, lead, and learn how to present yourself with confidence. Be a decision-maker!
Are you participating in class? Every time you answer a question, you are working on your confidence, your public speaking, and your ability to present your findings. These are all key skills of a strong student. Don’t let yourself off the hook in class. Be ready to volunteer and participate.
Are you involved in your community? Serving your own community teaches the same skills you will need to be successful in school. Can’t find an opportunity to serve in your community? Good! Go create an opportunity.
Suffer for Success
When we say that, we aren’t telling you to do any undo or unjust suffering. This also isn’t to wish any hardship on your life. However, we know that success is earned, not given. Make a conscious effort to develop the habits of the best students. The more you choose to stand out, the more your potential can shine. Mindset makes the difference!