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College life today lacks competitive situations, responsibilities and the gratifying successes — or failures — of competing, especially for those who don’t partake in extracurriculars. This is harmful to students’ perceptions of their own capabilities, and to no surprise, leads them to search for validation in unproductive outlets. We need to push ourselves to be more competitive as students in our daily lives.

It is often the responsibility of individuals to take the initiative to join motivating spaces, and because not every student has the time or meets the criteria to be in non-scholastic activities, Syracuse University professors should consider structuring course curriculums to include more competitive components.

Any effort to make more members of the SU student body feel aligned with their personal or professional purpose will never be an effort wasted. Young people need and deserve more opportunities to compete, even with themselves, outside the world of athletics in order to foster the skills they need to succeed outside of school.

One method would be to structure course syllabi to require students to collaborate with their peers to complete long-term projects. Professors could also implement individual projects that allow students to demonstrate their understanding of course material by applying information to their real-world interests. SU should also consider providing more funding to academic clubs to fuel a more competitive component both within the university itself and with other schools.

“We’ve learned that the competencies that are most predictive of early career success are things like Grit, Rigor, Impact, and curiosity-and have nothing to do with where someone went to college, what they studied, or their GPA,” Kristen Hamilton of ERE, a professional development media outlet, said. She suggests that employers are far more interested in attributes in a candidate’s competitive character than their statistics on paper.

Completing the bare minimum to pass classes will inevitably leave students feeling unsure of their abilities to compete in the working world. Seldom do employers ask students about their sophomore year math class in an interview — they want to hear what experiences have shaped potential employees into the well-versed individuals they claim to be on their resumes.

It’s important to note that competition extends far beyond athletic arenas. It can be found all around campus if you know where to look. Whether it be within the realm of performing arts, academic competition teams or chess club, healthy competition improves students’ self image and confidence levels. So long as the commitment requires hard work and consistency, students will reap the benefits.

SU senior Margaux Gryska, a member of the school’s Division I women’s rowing team, shared her experience of trading nights out with friends for cold 6 a.m. training sessions. She practiced this routine until an injury in the spring 2024 season of 2024. While she did enjoy a few extra hours of sleep in the mornings after her injury, Gryska’s sabbatical from athletics only solidified her love for her sport as she came to realize the role competing plays in her identity.

Gryska recalled a time in her rowing career when she watched her work pay off before her own eyes. “I had been working for years to PR (personal record) on a 2000 meter test,” she said. “The moment that I started focusing on physical health, eating enough and recovering properly, is when I saw my own decisions play out on the water … I was on top of the world.”

Flynn Ledoux | Illustration Editor

This experience of achieving a desired outcome through hard work exemplifies how we can fulfill the need for validation we so desire, which can transfer into almost every aspect of our lives. A commitment to improving at a craft and setting long-term goals is necessary for success. And, unlike other forms of validation, it’s actually attainable.

Opportunities to compete are oftentimes a side effect of requirements throughout youth — whether as the result of a parent’s wishes or a school graduation requirement, participation is frequently mandatory. As we age, we are granted the opportunity of choice, something we should feel empowered to use to better ourselves.

Not only does disengaging from self-doubt and grounding oneself in hard work and determination show character to those around us, but more importantly, it reminds us of who we are. The next generation of leaders are not going to be created through apathy or lack of motivation. They will be forged out of practice, consistency and determination.

Mary Kerns is a senior majoring in communication and rhetorical studies. Her column appears bi-weekly. She can be reached at mgkerns@syr.edu.

Published on October 7, 2024 at 12:27 am