In many parts of life, we are taught to chase after the top spot—get the highest grades, win the scholarship, or be first on every waiting list. But lately, I’ve been wondering if this is always the best way to make the most of our experiences. Sometimes, forcing ourselves to be first just leads to stress or even disappointment.
A friend of mine recently tried to overstay her time at a popular university abroad, hoping to increase her chances for a better job. She had once received a scholarship and was determined not to waste it. Yet, as her visa was about to expire, she found herself stuck in complicated paperwork, waiting anxiously for a new diagnosis from the immigration office. While she waited, she tried to distract herself with new routines—she started HIIT classes at a local gym and finally took a long overdue stool test her doctor had recommended. These things helped a bit, but the constant uncertainty, like approaching a roundabout without knowing which exit to take, became overwhelming.
What my friend learned is that sometimes, it’s not about fighting to stay longer or pushing to the front. Instead, it can be more rewarding to make the most of the place you are in—even if it means accepting your spot on a waiting list. After all, there is often something valuable in the pause, the routine, or even in the things we do while we wait. Maybe it’s not about always winning the race, but about the way we run it.
