The Daily Grind (Part I)

By Saad Khalid
Photo Credits: Talha Rehman
Graphics: Alizah Gul Memon

“He who has a ‘why’ to live for, can bear almost any ‘how.’” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

The daily grind is an instrumental part of the mortal existence. Some might say it is this grind – this struggle – that defines what life is. For anyone who has a desire or ambition, a why as Nietzsche would say can overcome any obstacle that blocks the path of life. The truest succor that one can achieve in life is our own well-deserved outcome. For in the deepest circle of the soul, we know what we deserve – a triumph truly our own, whether it be bitter or sweet, is ours wholly.

This phenomenon is extendable to our university experience; for as much as these hallowed halls of learning offer, they equally take much out of you.

Missing Classes

One of the most classic cases of daily attrition is the mandatory early-morning class. Day after day, one cold morning after another, this attrition takes a heavy toll on the psyche. Unfortunately, missing them is all too great peril. Miss more than 7 or 8, and your mandatory attendance will fall below 75%, barring you to sit for your end-semester exam (ESE). While the easiest thing to say would be that missing classes is a symptom of millennial laziness or pettiness, this is mere surface-level analysis of cause and effect; a surface analysis that results in more harm than good. Referring to what Nietzsche said,

“He who has a ‘why’ to live for, can bear almost any ‘how’”

Missed classes often are a symptom of dissatisfaction relating to the course in one way or another. Otherwise, a person satisfied with his lot will rarely miss a class. A satisfied person is too motivated that their self won’t allow them to miss class and fall victim to missing out on finals. They endeavor to learn and evolve.

A dissatisfied person will fall prey to poor sleeping hours, hygiene, or mental exhaustion. All as a coping mechanism to blame for missed classes rather than address the root cause of the problem. However, just like this dissatisfaction is a malady of self, only self alone can cure/overcome it. A self-evaluating approach is most recommended by experts when dealing with this. One must consider, reconsider, evaluate, and re-evaluate their Nietzschean whys.

Why are they here?
Why must they overcome this daily grind? What lies at the end of the tunnel for them to claim?

Address and evaluate the whys to find that inner well of self-strength to overcome the dissatisfaction in life. In some cases, merely overcoming is not enough in itself. Some paths are poorly chosen and not meant for you. Trying to overcome them causes unnecessary friction that one can do without in life. Sometimes, it is wiser to let go and find a new path. In conclusion, why is imperative for how to be confronted properly.

Quizzes and Finals

This daily grind of life is better understood in 3 aspects, each unique to the personality of the reader reading it:

Jester

You are the jester. The time afforded to you by the powers to be to prepare for this momentous occasion was not utilized wisely. The time was squandered away in worldly pursuits while conveniently ignoring the approaching the exam date. Unfortunately, at this stage of the game, little can be done to rectify this situation. The only cure for this dilemma is to self-discipline yourself, and prepare for the re-takes. It is suggested that a student undertakes this act themselves at the earliest possible moment, before the powers to be convened pass down an edict too bitter to acknowledge…

King/Queen

You’re the absolute monarch. You have wisely heeded the warning of tentative date sheets and prepared your affairs accordingly. The sacrifice of now that you placed in, bears a positive delight to be enjoyed later. Your CGPA is either absolute or above the vaunted 3.00. There is little advise for such wise ones except to never get complacent and always aim higher at every next attempt.

The Attempt

You are the attempt who has heeded the clarion call and tried his/her luck. However, despite the effort, you still fall short. As elaborated above, you too must evaluate your Nietzschean whys. Only through self-reflection and evaluation will you be able to identify the pitfalls that stopped your ascent, to the spot you deem worthy for yourself.