College students love to complain.

Nothing ever leans in our favor. No one understands us. We have millions of questions and insecurities, but very few solutions.

For most of us, our “major” problems circle around classes, money (or lack there of), life after graduation and finding a decent person worth dating at Kent State.

Life sucks, right?

Until recently, I had a similar mentality. However, a recent turn of events has changed my priorities and has made me appreciate the value of life much more.

Leukemia is best known as cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It is characterized by the uncontrolled accumulation of abnormal white blood cells. The lack of normal white blood cells impairs the body’s ability to fight infection. The disease spreads very rapidly, and if not treated quickly, the risk of mortality is high. Worst of all, doctors think a friend of mine has it.

She is an extremely bright, beautiful and goal-oriented young woman. Her aspirations in life used to be preparing for graduation, choosing a graduate school and getting married in the future. Her immediate priorities have changed because she may be robbed of things most college students take for granted.

We believe ourselves to be invincible. Nothing could possibly interfere with us going to class, making the grade, getting that girl or guy, graduating and getting “the” job. We are told to believe that as long as we want it enough, we can have it all. We are supposed to have our whole lives ahead of us. This unrealistic outlook influences the college mindset to focus only on how to get ahead. We often make career goals our No. 1 priority in life, tossing the people we love aside.

The truth is, there is an endless number of factors that could jeopardize the futures we all are working hard to achieve. Nothing is certain, and no matter how hard you try to succeed in life, sometimes life has a different agenda.

I’m not saying we should all just give up on our dreams. In fact, I believe just the opposite.

Not to sound cliché, but live life to the fullest. We only get one, so make it good. Try putting life into perspective. What really matters to you?

Remember, everything could always be worse than it really is. This situation has taught me to love both the good and bad. Without one, the other couldn’t exist.

A few low test scores isn’t the end of the world. If you’re lucky, life will give you plenty of opportunities to get ahead. Second chances with people are harder to come by.

Erica Weisburn is a junior newspaperjournalism major and a columnist for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact her at [email protected].