When I agreed to do an alumni blog for the Sentry, I had no idea what to write about.

“What college kids would want to know,” they told me.

So my first ever alumni blog relates to something everyone has dealt with: getting shit on.

It happens a lot in college (as I’m sure you already know), and if no one has told you yet, it doesn’t get any easier after college. Don’t get me wrong, being out of school is great for myriad reasons that I can’t really dig into right now.

But being out in the real world presents its challenges in and out of the office. Maybe you’re struggling to get a full-time job. Maybe you have a job and you’re struggling in it. Maybe you’re in a struggle with your best friend. Maybe you’re just struggling with life like the old man yelling at clouds. I don’t really know.

Anyway, here’s four tips to deal with being shit on.

1. Step away from whatever you’re doing.

One method to dealing with life/work/whatever taking a massive dump on you is to just walk away for a bit. Thinking about what you messed up on, whether it was completely your fault or not, can really weigh on a person. It’ll just eat away at you.

You most likely won’t be able to solve the problem or fix the mistake right away. It’s best to just take a moment to simmer down. Clear your mind, then approach the problem.

2. Vent

Don’t take this to an extreme and tell the world your problems and for the love of God, don’t post your issues on Facebook.

Venting is good when done the right way. Find someone who will actually listen and give you constructive advice, first off. A parent figure you’re close with is a good place to start. Especially if you have a mom like me, who will listen intently but still be honest. Don’t vent to someone who will coddle you because that’s only going to make things worse.

If you have no one to talk to, write it down. Or talk to me; I’m cool with that.

3. Remember the big picture

Keep your long-term goals in mind. How does whatever adversity you’re going through affect your plan for the rest of your life? Chances are, this will be a blip on your radar in the long run. It will only affect you as much as you let it. Cliché as it sounds, learn from the experience and use it in bigger, more badass endeavors down the road.

……….

I was recently talking to one of my bosses about my concerns in life. Before I really went off the deep end, he stopped me and said, “Haley. You are 22 years old.” And that really stuck with me. So that’s what I’m going to tell you.

You are young. College is nice and safe and can be some of the best years of your life. The real world might spit in your face sometimes, but c’est la vie. It’s a wild world, and dwelling on a mistake will only distract you from it.

Editor’s Note:

RMU ALUMNI: The Sentry has officially launched our Alumni Blog page on our website for anyone willing/wanting to share their stories and advice for current students and fellow alumni. This is open to RMU graduates at all levels. For anyone interested in being part of this, please email us at [email protected]