The one who reminded you it’s okay to not be okay.
THE ONE WHO REMINDED YOU IT’S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY.
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We’ve all walked those hallowed halls, driven by ambition, surrounded by brilliance. The expectation, unspoken yet palpable, was always to excel, to strive for nothing less than perfection. In that relentless pursuit, it was easy to feel that any crack in the facade, any moment of doubt or vulnerability, was a sign of weakness. We learned complex theories, debated grand ideas, and mastered intricate skills. But sometimes, the most profound lessons weren’t found in a textbook or a lecture slide.
They came from the unexpected, quiet moments. Perhaps it was a professor who, after a particularly grueling exam, spoke not just about the material, but about the overwhelming pressure students faced. Or the one who, seeing you look utterly exhausted in office hours, simply offered a knowing glance and a gentle word of encouragement that transcended academic advice. Maybe it was their own genuine vulnerability in sharing a personal struggle, normalizing the human experience of imperfection.
These weren't necessarily the iconic figures or the eccentric oddballs, but the ones who saw beyond the GPA and the extracurriculars. They saw you, the person behind the polished resume, grappling with the weight of expectation. They reminded you, perhaps with just a look or a simple sentence, that it's not only acceptable but human to feel overwhelmed, to stumble, to doubt, and ultimately, to be perfectly imperfect. Those are the life lessons that truly stick, aren't they? We want to hear about your professor moment. Who was that unexpected guide for you? What did they say or do that resonated so deeply? Share your story below.