USC Aiken student shares words of encouragement with campus community, reflects on personal difficulties that lead to positivity
This week, USC Aiken student Christine (Lisa) Tormala has been spreading positive messages for other students on the USCA Student Life Facebook page.
Tormala was inspired to encourage others through her posts because of her own experience with stress and school.
“I am a college student myself and understand that so many people go through different things,” she stated. “Whenever you add work, bills, relationships, and so forth to the mix, it gets more stressful.“
She wrote, “sometimes we lose motivation to do anything and I feel like my post helped people. I feel like a lot of people can relate to it and see that ‘Hey, I am not the only one.’"
Tormala believes that COVID-19 has created many difficulties for students, mentally and physically.
“I think that COVID just sucks and it has changed the way school works,” she said. It’s challenging whenever you’re sick and professors do not turn on blackboard collaborate.”
Tormala shared a few personal instances of difficulties in college, writing that going through such difficulties brought inspiration to persevere.
“Last April, an 18-wheeler ran me off the interstate and I flipped my car about three or four times in the air and landed on the other side of the interstate. I had two friends in the car with me. Thankfully, none of us had any major injuries and we walked away from it. I could have died,” she said. “That moment made me realize that if I were to have left this planet, I hated myself. I hated who I was at that time period. I was flunking college, involved in a toxic abusive relationship, lived with someone and we started to not get along, worked at a toxic work environment, and was genuinely not happy.”
After surviving through these events, Tormala wants other students to know that the road to graduation won’t always be smooth – and that it’s all right.
“I eventually left my job, moved in with an amazing guy and put my classes first. I made all A's last semester and raised my GPA to where it needs to be for the school of education,” she said. “I am applying to the school of education for this upcoming fall and plan to graduate in December 2023. I understand that life happens, and it can be stressful. I want people to know that it’s okay. Take one day at a time and breathe. We will all graduate and achieve our goals.”
Tormala said, “I just want everyone to know that you are not alone. We are all here to graduate. Sometimes we have to take it one day at time, and that's okay. It will all be worth it once you walk across the stage with your diploma in hand.”
