Stoicism for Students: Finding Resilience in Academic Life

by: Aiza Rasheed

@jpnstudio2023 on Instagram

In contemporary times, we colloquially think of stoicism as mere emotional suppression—the ability to remain unfazed in the face of adversity. We idealize a Stoic as someone who would remain calm under pressure and would not crumble under emotional extremes. Though these preconceived notions capture important aspects of stoicism, it overlooks the deeper purpose it serves: a way of life embellished in virtues and resilience. Consider, for instance, the story of Zeno of Cyprus. After surviving a devastating shipwreck, resulting in the drowning of all his goods and possessions, Zeno found himself destitute. Most would curse their bad luck and fall into a whirlpool of despair. However, instead of succumbing, Zeno wandered into a nearby bookstore with nothing else to do. It is there he discovered the influential works of Socrates, leading him down the fateful path of various other philosophers, schools of thought and eventually his legacy, stoicism.

In recent years, stoicism has seen a resurgence due to contemporary Stoic thinkers and social media to uplift the message. Many seem to be drawn to the idea of stoicism, as in a world that can often feel meaningless it offers a path to a better life. Stoicism acts as an escape from the drudgery of modernity, and it tells you to work hard and strive for excellence. As such, this article outlines the consensus of stoicism and creates an adaptable, four step practice, for all students to embody for their academic pursuits.  

1. The dichotomy of control  

Epictetus, a Greek Stoic, emphasized focusing on what we can control through his concept of the dichotomy of control. As a student, this means concentrating on time management and how you respond to academic challenges, rather than external factors like grades and reputation. By doing so, you can maximize your chances of success.  

2. Follow a routine 

Marcus Aurelius, a prominent Stoic philosopher and Roman emperor, valued morning reflection as a cornerstone of his daily routine. His journaling practice, as seen in "Meditations," can be distilled into two key categories: reflecting on areas for personal growth while reinforcing life principles and beginning each day by listing things he was grateful for. To adopt this practice, set aside a few minutes each morning to journal about your gratitude and reflect on how you can align your actions with your values. This simple yet powerful habit can foster self-awareness and a more balanced mindset. 

3. Embrace failure 

Embracing failure, a core Stoic principle, can revolutionize your student life. Instead of dreading poor grades or missed opportunities, view them as valuable learning experiences. Practice reframing negative thoughts into constructive ones. This allows students to challenge irrational beliefs and adopt a more balanced perspective. As a student, you can apply this by questioning negative thinking about exams or presentations, focusing instead on preparation and personal growth. By adopting this mindset you'll build resilience, reduce anxiety, and cultivate a mindset that turns obstacles into opportunities for improvement. 

4. Take an outside perspective  

Failing an exam, doing poorly on an assignment or messing up a presentation can all bring us down, damaging our ego. Epictetus suggested when we do face such adversities, to take a moment to imagine if a friend of ours went through the same thing. What advice would we give them? This allows us to remind and ground ourselves with the notion that difficulties happen to everyone. Inevitably, you might gain hope that you can overcome adversity if you know that others have done it before and emerged stronger.