From YA Weekly
School Is Hard. Here’s What Keeps Me Going (and Hoping)
You are not an object—you were created to act, become, and overcome.
Photograph courtesy of the author
Sometimes I wonder if I’ll really become who I hope to be. I’ve always had the dream of studying biology, getting into medical school, and returning home to serve my community in Tahiti as a doctor.
But when I moved to Hawaii, USA, to start college, I wondered if that path was truly what Heavenly Father wanted for me.
College has been a great experience, but balancing classes, work, and time to unwind is tough. I’ve often felt discouraged by all the uncertainty.
As I’ve wrestled with these feelings, I’ve found hope through a few helpful practices.
Learning to Act in Faith
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once explained agency with a powerful object lesson. Holding up his scriptures, he said that the scriptures were an object. He taught that they had no ability to move unless he moved them. Then he added, “‘You and I, however, are agents. We have the power in us to act, not simply to be acted upon.’”
I began to understand my agency to choose faith when I started working as a canoe guide at the Polynesian Cultural Center. At first, I was so nervous. The canoes are heavy, the river is fast, and you’re supposed to guide and entertain guests, all without crashing!
At the beginning of this job, I was nervous. But then I read this scripture: “Because … they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, … to act for themselves and not to be acted upon” (2 Nephi 2:26).
This brought me peace. Jesus Christ’s Atonement doesn’t just redeem us from sin—He also gives us strength. I realized I didn’t need to wait to “feel ready” or have everything figured out. I just needed to act in faith and remember that I can do hard things, especially with Christ by my side.
As I acted in faith and kept working through mistakes and challenges, I noticed that both my canoeing skills and my trust in the Lord improved. I realized God knew me, loved me, and would help me with everything I was trying to accomplish.
When I feel discouraged—whether at work, on a run, while studying, or in moments of doubt—I remind myself that I’m not an object. I’m an agent who can act in faith.
Giving the Lord Equal Time
As Heavenly Father’s children, we’re not meant to be spectators in our lives. He wants us to change, to become more, and to choose Him.
When school is difficult and responsibilities are heavy, I’ve found that prioritizing time for the Lord helps me accomplish everything else. Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared this promise: “As you give the Lord equal time as you pursue your higher education, the Spirit will enhance your academic pursuits. You will find you have extra time and capacity for your courses, and doors will be opened for you that might have otherwise been closed.”
That promise gives me comfort as I keep working toward my goals.
Looking to God
I’ve felt a lot of guidance from the Lord to study in the medical field, but the path ahead still feels uncertain. I’ve realized that peace doesn’t come when all uncertainty is gone; it can come from God in any circumstances. President D. Todd Christofferson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, taught, “In looking to God, we can find peace in difficulty, and our faith can continue to grow even in times of doubt and spiritual challenge.”
Even though I don’t know what my future in medical school will be like, I know that God is guiding me. Even when I can’t see His blessings clearly, remembering that I’m not alone on my journey gives me hope.
If you’re unsure about your future or doubting your potential, please don’t give up. Choose to act in faith even if it means just taking one more small step.
Because Christ lives, you can keep trying. You can figure things out. Trust that He can help you through any uncertainty you’re facing.