We’ve been talking about this topic of academic validation for a while now on the Diary of the mind. We’ve gone through the meaning of academic validation, the reasons a student may be struggling with it, and how to identify it within yourself. All this information is incredibly important for you if you struggle with academic validation, but there’s something even more important you should know. That would be how to get over your academic validation. How to conquer this ingrained mentality you have, probably for a long time now, and make it go away for good. Well, if that’s the information you need, you’ve come to the right place. Here are the 4 easy steps on how to get over academic validation.
#1 : Recognize the Issue
The first step to fixing any problem is identifying it, and that is incredibly important with overcoming academic validation as well. But how exactly do you identify it? Try to recognize these following signs:
- Excessive stress due to academics (tests, evaluations, grades, etc…)
- Fear of failure
- Constant comparing with other students
- Imposter syndrome
- Setting unattainable or harmful academic standards
- Seeking praise and approval of achievements from others
These are only a few of the signs of academic validation, but very common and profound ones nonetheless. If you identify with any of these symptoms, it is a sure indicator that you are experiencing academic validation, and you have just completed the first step to overcoming it.
#2 : Redefine Success
Academics used to define your value, or your success. Everything that meant something was a number in the gradebook and a letter on the report card. But now, you’re changing, and you have to rewrite that definition for yourself.
Focus on the effort you put in and the growth throughout it, not just the results. It’s no longer about how many A’s you get on projects or how much higher your GPA is than the rest of your classmates. It’s about how much you learnt when researching that project, or how much you did throughout your academic year. Academic matters, of course, but it doesn’t define you.
Find something outside of academics. It can be a small hobby, like scrapbooking or journaling, that you are passionate about. If you have a bigger extracurricular, like sports, then great! Focus on your growth and improvement there, rather than fixating on grades like you used to.
But be careful, don’t fall into an achievement based mentality here either. Make sure you’re doing it because it is what you love, not something to measure your worth.
Understand that you are not valued based on what you can do, or what you have done. You are valued based on who you are. Be true to yourself and do what you love, and success will find you.
#3 : Adopt Healthy Habits
Get into some healthier habits for your mental health that’ll help you understand your own self better. There are certain habits that you’ve probably already formed that aren’t very good for you. You need to stop overworking yourself, just studying to the point of burnout, or setting unachievable standards that drive you to that point. To stop it, you need to understand yourself and your limits.
Journaling is a great idea for this. Try to use your notebook as a space to talk about anything and everything, or to take your mind off of your academic worries. If you want to learn more about journaling, check out my article here!
Another great strategy is taking mental health days. These are days that solely prioritize your mental health, keeping you from worrying about anything else. This can be especially beneficial if you are trying to overcome your need for academic validation. It takes your mind off of grades, and work. It allows you to relax, recharge, and reflect on your past stress and experiences. You can look back on how you allowed academics to control you, and formulate healthier habits that create a healthier lifestyle. Do you want to learn more about mental health days and how to take them? You can check out my article here!
#4 : Seek Support
This is going to be a hard change, since your need for academic validation is so deeply ingrained in your mentality, and you need good people around you. People who care about you and can guide you on the right path.
Tell your counselor or therapist, if you have one, about what you are experiencing. Explain your full story and feelings, and make sure they have full idea of your situation. Take their advice seriously, as their professional help can be your first step to change.
It’s not just support from professionals you need, but also from the people you have a genuine relationship with. You don’t even have to tell them anything. Just spend time with your friends and family, and make sure you have a good time with them. Don’t let the stress of academics consume you as they did before, and have some fun with your life.
An Unfortunate Reality
Sadly, this is all easier said than done, especially since many of us aren’t in situations where we can easily pull away from the need for academic validation. Many might be in financial positions that pressurize them into fixating on academics as a gateway to a better life. Others may have parents or families that hold academics at a much higher importance than it needs to be.
It’s important to recognize these challenges because everyone’s journey isn’t linear. There are so many things limiting us from bettering our mental health as teens, and they aren’t in any way excuses. They are just reality. So, if you are in any of these positions, it is okay. You can still create a schedule of less academic stress while still succeeding. And even if you can’t, you will find a way, it just may not be now.
Conclusion
Well, now you’ve got it. Not only do you know about academic validation and the signs of it from previous articles, but also how to get over academic validation. Now, it’s up to you to apply this incredible information to your life. Start talking to the people around you who you trust, and those who can help you overcome the academic validation you’re struggling with. Find the time in your day to truly care for your mental health. Take the action to make your life happier and healthier, because with your academic validation, it won’t ever be. Keep this article, and this entire website, in your back pocket, and make sure you use it to help yourself to be happier.
