While Google may disagree, if I had to define college — and put it rather bluntly — I’d say it’s running behind the next thing: the next class, party or even the next existential crisis. So immersed in this hustle culture and hungry for the next opportunity, we often find it hard to take a beat to appreciate the motions we are going through. As someone still learning the art of practicing gratitude, I am as guilty as you, but I have to say, all those self-help gurus may be onto something: practicing gratitude daily is important. 

Every year, I make a reel to document my experiences in October — my birthday month and also known as my favorite time of the year. As I wrapped up my third year of making these reels, I rewatched the older ones and realized that not only has my ability to time transitions improved but also my reason behind making these reels. The tradition that started as a way to keep me occupied during my gap semester turned into this unnecessarily public display of my life and then transformed into a collage of some of my most beautiful memories. 

The funny thing is that I had completely forgotten about some of the moments from the previous reels. I’m also sure that the experiences I call “some of my most beautiful memories” today will soon fade into the distant past. While the reasoning, activities and people changed, only the feelings of happiness I experienced stayed constant. 

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In 10 years, I may not recall the specificities of each experience, but I will recall my awe as I saw the sun rise over my city, the thrill of dancing on the table with my friend while screaming “Shake It Off” into the microphone and the calmness that swept over me as I strummed my ukulele. Aren’t these emotions worth feeling grateful for every day?

Posting one Instagram story for what you are thankful for on the fourth Thursday of every November isn’t enough. We have so much to be grateful for throughout the year, whether it’s for the extra hour of sleep you got because your professor canceled class, the packet of Hershey’s Kisses your friend gifted you or USC avenging our loss against UCLA this year. It’s important to be grateful for these little moments and the joy they bring you because these tiny specks in a seemingly larger picture are the ones that make life slightly more bearable daily. 

While I’m still working on practicing gratitude myself, I believe that college is the perfect time to start doing so. We are only going to get busier from here on out. To ensure that we are optimistic and limit daily crying sessions, even in our most stressful and hectic times, we should start now while we still have a few moments to spare. 

My experience and a bit of online research show that there are plenty of small steps one can take to convey gratitude daily. While my favorite is saying two things you are grateful for before bed, you can also attempt to say thank you more. Set an intention for your day in the morning, discuss what you are grateful for with others and perform small acts of kindness, like holding the door for others. These strategies will help you be more present in the moment rather than chasing the future.

Before I end my last article for the semester, I want to practice what I preach. So, I wanted to thank you for reading my column. I am grateful that you took the time to hear my 2 a.m. ramblings and for giving my writing and me a purpose. Until next time, love Edhita. 

Edhita Singhal is a junior writing about life lessons she has learned in college in her column, “Thinking Out Loud,” which runs every other Wednesday.