“Life truly is beautiful, and so is time given.”

It is challenging being a student in Nigeria in regards to its current climate, and my reality isn’t any different. Studying Law in Nigeria can be very challenging, and it has made me anxious about what is to come and what would have been. I’ve always been pensive and pessimistic towards my outlook of life. I never really “see life through the right lens” as folks say. I worry about what could and would have been and this often leads to anxiety. Lately I find myself living too fast, not necessarily living in the “moment”, I’ve also developed a lack of mindfulness and a lack of proper balance of life.

I also realized I have been rushing through everything. Never really paying attention to what is happening right now. It is safe to say I have been missing out on living in the moment. Life has gotten unbalanced and hectic.

Life as a 21 year old studying law in Nigeria, it sure has been really challenging. From rising at 7 am daily to endure school until 2 pm, to grappling with an extensive array of textbooks and study materials, my schedule feels relentless. This demanding routine often leaves me with minimal time for self-care, leading to neglect of my health. To keep up with coursework, I find myself up most nights, sacrificing precious sleep for academic pursuits. Amidst these challenges, there is a persistent anxiety about meeting the high standards set in my field, fueling the drive to excel despite the obstacles. 

Navigating through it all I stumbled on a word of German Origins “Vorfreude” which translates to “joyful anticipation” but in my own words “finding joy in imagining future pleasures”. Suddenly, there was this shift. The heaviness didn't magically disappear, but it felt more bearable. The word Vorfreude became my escape from constant worry, a reminder that life isn't just about struggles but also about the good stuff waiting around the corner.

Law school, textbooks, and future worries are overwhelming, but I've come to see that I'm not really appreciating the present. It is like I've been too focused on where I'm going, and I forgot to enjoy the journey.

So, I need to slow down and take in what is happening around me. 

It made me see my future differently—less like a series of problems to solve and more like a story with exciting chapters I have not read yet. It is like putting on a pair of glasses that makes everything seem a bit brighter.

The word showed me the excitement in looking forward, but now I am figuring out how to enjoy what is going on right now. It is like finding a middle ground between getting ready for what is next and appreciating what's happening in the moment.

And in the middle of all this, I found God. It was not some grand revelation, just a quiet strengthening of my faith. It became a source of stability, something to lean on when everything else felt shaky. Discovering the German word "Vorfreude" not only shifted my perspective on life but also paved the way for a deeper connection with my faith. As I embraced the concept of joyful anticipation, it became intertwined with my newfound reliance on God. The anticipation in Vorfreude mirrored the excitement in looking forward to the future, while my growing faith served as a stabilizing force, guiding me through the challenges of law school and life. Together, they created a harmonious balance, allowing me to navigate the present with less worry and anxiety, and to see the unfolding chapters of my life as part of a story that God is intricately weaving.

So now, I’m dealing with life, but with a little less worry and anxiety. It is not a cure-all, but  a reminder that there is more to my story than the struggles I am facing right now. It is like a compass, pointing me towards a future that might just be better than I imagine. Here's to balancing law school stress with a bit of anticipation and a lot more mindfulness

Written by: Anyim Ugwa Chukwunenye.

(CC): Dr. Edem, Henry-Kendall A.

    Chibuike-Eruba Ujunwa.