Turn Your 18 Karat Rhinestones Into Diamonds: College Edition

I know what you’re probably thinking, “18 karat rhinestones? Isn’t it diamonds?” Well, we aren’t there just yet. You can’t expect me to have diamonds; I’m a college student in New York City. My life consists of rattling train cars, walk signs, foot blisters, homework, and honking, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

If you told my younger self that I would be studying fashion in Manhattan, you would be absolutely right. I have always dreamt of escaping my suburban neighborhood and indulging in the city culture. Fashion has always been a huge part of my life and whether you like it or not, it is a huge part of yours too. The clothes you wear give people a sense of who you might be and what you do professionally.

I play this little game when I walk down Park Avenue.

There are a lot of fancy adults in their tailored tuxedos and pencil skirts, and I like to picture what they might be doing. I ask myself, Finance, law, or maybe marketing? It can be easy to get sidetracked in all the glamour, fashion, and food, but I just have to remember that I’m on the go too. One day, someone might look at me and wonder what large corporation I work for. However, for now I’m just collecting my rhinestones—the experiences, failures, triumphs, and milestones I will surpass to ultimately get my diamond. My diamond represents everything I want, including love, happiness, balance, and becoming editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine.

As a college student, there are so many concerns constantly flooding through my mind, and I’m sure many can relate. Although you might feel like the world is tumbling down on you, problems are meant to be solved. Here are just a few of the struggles that college students in Manhattan might be facing and the ways to overcome them.

Loneliness

Walking the streets of Manhattan is an odd feeling but in the best way. You don’t ever want to make too much eye contact with anyone, people are constantly cutting you off, and most of the time no one even acknowledges your existence. This could leave you feeling very isolated and lonely; however in New York City, no one is ever alone. The constant flow of movement and lust for success is what fuels the energy of New York City. So, if you ever find yourself feeling lonesome, just know that everyone you pass on the streets is on track to achieve their goals, just like you.

Over-planning

With all the commotion and chaos of attending college in a city with endless opportunity, I find myself planning too far ahead. It can be a struggle to slow down sometimes because we want to fast-forward to our dream careers. However, taking your goal in smaller doses can be extremely effective. My “rhinestones method” has helped overcome this struggle. These are the small decisions that you make daily to contribute to your goal, and those small decisions are your rhinestones. Collecting rhinestones can be as simple as deciding to stay in and work on your essay instead of spending the night out with your friends. If you find yourself thinking too far ahead, it is okay to slow down and collect your rhinestones because without them it’s only going to make it harder to achieve that diamond.

Time Management

Time management can be an extremely difficult skill to grasp, but once you’ve mastered it, it can make all the difference in your academic life. With today’s technology, there are so many possibilities to plan and prioritize all your homework and everything else. Personally, I prefer to put pen to paper, but there are so many platforms on the internet to make yourself an agenda. Once you have a sense of what your responsibilities for the week are, jot them down! I like to indicate time slots where I have availability during the week to work on homework and any other tasks I might have. To add, prioritizing can also be extremely helpful. A trick that I have learned is beginning with the most difficult assignment first. Then, when it comes time to finish up the easier tasks, you will feel a sense of relief because your mind isn’t wandering to the other assignment.

Networking

Although it could be terrifying to put yourself out there, you will regret all the people you didn’t talk to and the events you did not attend. I’m not saying that you need to start a random conversation with someone on the street, but it is important to make yourself known. Networking can start in the classroom. A person that you are studying with now could be the one to help you find a job in the future, and you could do the same for them. A simple way to begin these bonds is to join clubs and reach out to your classmates. There is no harm in getting involved and building connections. Experience is all around you; you just have to take it!

Failure

Something that could be challenging to remember is that it is okay to not succeed. It is better to have lost than to not even have tried in the first place. I am a strong believer that failure fuels motivation. Thomas Eddison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Failure is a huge part of life. Use your failure as a learning experience to only make you stronger for the next attempt. If you’re ever feeling like your hopes and dreams are lost because of one bump in the road, just remember that’s a rhinestone in my book, and it’s probably one in Thomas Eddison’s too.

So look up and smell the pretzels, listen to the honking of the taxi’s, and go out and experience. Although you might not see it now, someday there will be an 18-year-old girl walking down Park Avenue imagining what glamorous career you might have, and that girl hasn’t reached her diamond yet; she is just collecting her rhinestones. I’d love to go on, but I have a train to catch.