Student Spotlight Lauren Marquart

Take a deep breath. I know you feel like you have to do it all: every assignment perfectly, every expectation met, every opportunity accepted. But I want you to know: it’s okay to say no. It’s okay to set your limits when your plate is full. You don’t have to prove your worth by how busy you are or how much you carry. Saying no isn’t weakness – it’s strength and it’s self-respect.

You’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to leave something unfinished for tomorrow. And most of all, you’re allowed to say yes to the things that bring you joy, even if they don’t fit neatly into your planner. Say yes to the last-minute market runs with your friends. Say yes to laughing a little too loudly in the study rooms. Say yes to Just Dance game night, even if you have a quiz tomorrow. That extra hour of studying won’t always matter, but the memories you make will.

Don’t let the pressure to always be “on” steal your present moments. There’s magic in the small things like the songs you sing on the way to Target, the late-night talks that turn into laughter and lifelong friendships, or meeting up for dinner together after a long day. These things pass by quickly. You’ll look back one day and wish you had held on to them a little longer.

Let go of the idea that everything must be perfect. Find joy. Rest when you're tired. Choose to be around your people, and choose to be present. You are already enough, just as you are.

With love and a little more grace,
Lauren