Fighting FoMO On Campus
Oh, the crippling fear of missing out; FoMO. You’ve felt it before, even if you couldn’t put a name to the concept.
That sinking feeling you get when you have to set up camp in Olin to study while your friends go out? FoMO. Leaving the party early because you’re too tired to stand, but finding yourself laying in bed and reflecting on how much fun you could’ve had if you stayed? You can chalk that up to FoMO, too.
Life is full of choices, whether they be good, bad, or neutral. However, there is one universal truth: you can’t do everything. For those of us who are constantly drowning under the pressure that our FoMO puts on us, that can be a tough pill to swallow.
We, as humans, are more networked than ever. We see the experiences of those inside and outside of our community highlighted on social media, and we’re filled with this sense that we’re not doing enough. As a swarm of young, collegiate influencers continue to take over my TikTok For You Page, I’ve felt even worse FoMO.
Alix Earle goes on PR trips to the Bahamas but also lives the life of a well-connected student at the University of Miami, where she can sit on the beach after class. Other collegiate influencers live a similarly glamorous life, seemingly having it all.
So, suffice it to say, what I see is a lot different than the life I live in Ithaca.
Sometimes, I can’t help but think to myself: this is the glamorous part of college that I’m missing out on. FoMO, at its core, is driven by jealousy. To be fully transparent, at times, I am entirely jealous of the lives that some of my peers lead.
Constantly comparing yourself to others and wondering what you could be doing is no way to live. So, how do all of us that suffer from FoMO mitigate our feelings? How do we keep away from bitterness and dissatisfaction?
The best (and most obvious) way to reduce FoMO is to lay off social media. Though we all know that most social media platforms are just a big highlight reel, it doesn’t stop us from comparing ourselves to others. I promise, if you stop doom-scrolling, the feelings of FoMO will subside.
I can’t count how many times I’ve seen a girl my age on TikTok with a far more interesting life, then felt anxious about how plain and boring my life is. Through social media, I can fear missing out on experiences that aren’t even mine to have (cough cough, the glamorous influencer life). Put the phone down!
Though disconnecting is a good first step, it’s important to remember that life is a fragile balancing act. As I mentioned earlier, you can’t do everything. Remind yourself that you are making the choices that are the best for you. Sure, while I’m freezing up in Ithaca, I’m missing out on the beach culture at a coastal school, but you can’t have it all.
After reflecting, I recognize that while I might be missing out on a more glamorous life, I like the one I have a lot. In fact, I wouldn’t trade it for anything—even the greatest Bahamas PR trip that money can buy.
All in all, there will always be some experiences you miss out on and some great nights you don’t get to see due to several uncontrollable variables. While I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully accept that, fending off FoMO is always easier when I express gratitude for the experiences I have had. It’s a lot better than dwelling on the ones that I never will.
