FOMO’d: Common to all Collegiate?

FOMO is a new millennial term that is the abbreviation of the “fear of missing out” on things. Take for example my friend Clyde, who just opened his social media account per se Facebook. He was then shocked to find out that the latest trend he was aware of was replaced by something even trendier. FOMO happens when an individual experiences fear or guilt based on possibility that a certain fad is happening nearby. They thus missing out on a possible social experience whether by choice or necessity.

FOMO is commonly found in the natural habitat: SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, because as aforementioned, a timeline can turn into a nightmarish photo album of “what-would-have-been”. Hannah Elliott said “as I feel like social media is the main catalyst for FOMO because we’re constantly berated with seeing the restaurant that someone went to, or the music festival that someone went to”. As a result, you are hurt and afraid to even check mere notification.

Another example of being FOMO’d is missing out on what might’ve been the greatest party of your life, for the sake of high grades something we college men are aware of (huhu). This does not make it easier, though as it takes a toll on one’s sanity (believe me). Confining yourself to the dead air of libraries is torturous (IDK) enough, knowing that your friends are out there somewhere having fun.

And another not skipping that totally skippable teacher in his/her totally skippable class, can be somewhat of brain draining (and annoying! IRRITATING) when we talk like Galapagos Tortoise or explains like Rabbit the Hare. Do not forget however, that getting caught up can lead to low grades. Dr. Veronica Thomas worth noting, said that “Don’t let ‘being cool’ stop you from going to classes. One day you will look back and regret it when final season hits and you missed an important lecture that could make or break your exam”. You will regret it dearly when finals come up and you’ve missed an important lesson, get your money’s worth and go to class, and in the end, when you have your diploma, you’ll see it’s worth all the sacrifices.

With all those FOMO’d moments that could adversely make or break your college life, managing expectations and prioritization can help you see college in the new lenses. And once they are set you can have more control over your social and academic life, when you will complete your homework, you can now join your friends for a day/night out. Lastly, try to minimize your screen time, what you cannot see won’t hurt you right? By constantly looking at your social media account being alerted that your friends are out there somewhere enjoying without you, it hurts (it hurts you enough) and it can keep you from unfinished homework which then leads to staying home from activities. And the cycle of FOMO continues. But with the lesser and more controlled it is the better also to break the FOMO’d curse you’ve having.

By:Philden8305

Sources:

veronicathomasphd.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_of_missing_outd