While sitting in a lecture, at lunch with friends, in the library or even scrolling through LinkedIn or Instagram, you are subjected to experiencing the lives of those around you second-handedly. As a student, an aspect of the college experience is absorbing the details of others’ lives from their upcoming weekend plans to summer internships. 

Witnessing others’ accomplishments is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is easy to subconsciously compare their journey to yours — academically, professionally, socially or otherwise. 

You are lucky enough to be surrounded by thousands of students of diverse backgrounds, from hometowns to majors, with one common goal: graduating. However, it is important to acknowledge that, for most students, similarities between their professional and academic journeys and those of their peers may be slim.

If you continue to utilize Instagram and LinkedIn as a personal scoreboard against others, you are only benching yourself in your personal growth. Comparing yourself to others at this stage of life is inevitable. It can feel as though you are being characterized by your resume, GPA and written accomplishments — this judgment, however, is unsustainable. 

You are not worth less if you are not constantly “doing more.” Toxic productivity stunts growth — it doesn’t enable it.

The comparison of a student in LAS’s coursework, extracurricular activities and internships to those of a student in Business is like comparing apples to oranges. There isn’t anything relevant to compare between the two as they are entirely different.

For business majors, there is a much stricter path and timeline to follow with internships, RSOs and job offers as the nature of the degrees is more competitive. 

In comparison, other majors, like psychology, hold standards with greater flexibility. Students can enter more individualistic paths, with fields ranging from education to health. Just because these post-career opportunities are broader than those in business, doesn’t mean that these paths are easier.

This is the precise reason that comparison culture will rob you of the college experience; the entire concept is fundamentally flawed. There is no meaningful correlation between your life and your peers’ if it is simply just different lifestyles, educational experiences and expectations of future professional endeavors. 

Rather, toxic comparisons will only wear us down in the end. If you spend your college career tearing yourself down because you don’t believe you measure up to the lives of your peers, you will lose sight of who you truly are and why you are here. 

Do not miss out on the college experience because you’re too busy looking at the experiences of others. College is unique in that it is an introduction to independence, and this experience will look and feel different for everyone. 

Instead, learn what fulfills you — not just what looks appealing on a resume. Discover RSOs that cater to your interests, from professional fraternities to intramural sports. 

Live in the moment, be yourself and learn how to celebrate the accomplishments of your peers without diminishing your own. Diversity in college is something to be celebrated, and the differing education and experiences of students should be utilized only to empower others.

Elizabeth is a sophomore in LAS.

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