What drives students here at Villanova? The passion to achieve a degree? To better themselves by exploring what college has to offer? Or simply to be the best versions of themselves? As the seasons change from a frigid winter into a cool, wet April spring, our goals change too.
Humans are constantly striving for success. This is a lesson we all learn in pursuit of becoming the greatest version of ourselves, otherwise known as the GOAT. People want to think of themselves as machines of efficiency, but the reality is humans are not machines. We all have flaws and fail constantly, but when we fail, we get back up and try again. That is what makes us human: learning from failure. However, some fall into the comfortable trap of being stagnant. Having goals is a mindset that stems from evolution, enforcing that only the strongest survive. The strongest are the people that have goals in mind, while the weak are the ones that don’t. In our modern era, the line between strong and weak is blurred. The easiest way to find out someone’s ambitions is to ask this simple yet crucial question: What are your goals?
Now, I’m not David Goggins, I’m not Lebron James, I am just another human on this floating rock like you with goals. Yes, I experience moments of comfort and failure, but I don’t let those feelings engulf me. But what is the source behind the motivation for our goals?
“I am super overachieving, so just the idea of failure and not completing what I want done is enough motivation for me,” freshman Dainca O’Brian said.
Fear of failure is a motivator for many, but positive motivators also drive us forward, such as the belief that our goals are within reach and that there are people supporting us to help us achieve them. Though we may not always succeed, trying separates those who do and those who don’t let fear control them. If you tried, that means you put action behind your words and stepped out of your comfort zone.
Goals must be specific, reasonable and achievable; you need to set a time for achieving them. Writing them down often helps.
“I see the vision I want to achieve, the long-term goal. I write down in my red notebook how I will do every step and what I will need to succeed,” sophomore Finn Murphy said.
Failure is a lesson, but it is important to remember that being human also means failure and imperfection.
“I get frustrated with myself when I don’t reach my goal,” sophomore Joe Ciampa said. “When I hit a sand trap with motivation, my goal seems like an unclimbable mountain. I think about the why. Why do I want to achieve this? It is human nature to fail and try again. When we fail, it makes us human, and it grounds us.”
Sophomore Luke Lombardo agreed, saying reflecting on his motivation helps him figure out how to accomplish his goals.
“Whether my goal is academic or athletic, I always reflect on the why,” Lombardo said. “It allows me to see clearly if I need to put more effort or time into achieving something.”
With passion and a goal, a person is unstoppable. Whether it is short term or long term goals, visualizing them and the feeling of accomplishing them helps us to reach our aspirations.
“I have a day-by-day checklist, the daily things I want to get done, and I don’t focus too hard on the final product, just staying in the present,” sophomore Matthew Wolfington said.
Villanova’s students are goal-driven. It is in the slogan here, “Ignite Change.” Villanova alumni have gone on to become leaders across industries, innovators, problem solvers, dedicated mentors and volunteers. Students here strive for their goals with passion, which is what sets us apart from other schools. To be a Villanovan means you are a student with goals, and you put action behind them. Just take a deep breath and take in that energy. You’re in a good place to accomplish your goals.
