Pavlov's Dog Syndrome

I'm so happy that this week is finally over! Have you ever had one of those weeks that you wished it was possible to sleep right through the week and wake up on Friday evening instead? Yes, I was having such a week. It's a story that stretches back to one month ago but I'll simply summarize it into two words- class project. 

I have had the most stressing month of my life trying to deal with some uncooperative group members. We had one month to plan an event which happens to be the final exam in that particular unit. I'm sure you can understand my rage when some people did not seem to take this project seriously. 40% of my final grade depended on the effort of these people! To cut a  long story short, we held the event this week and it was a complete success. At the end of the day we are all still friends (even with the jokers). That is the reason I'm so happy this week is over. 

The event, however, was a big eye opener for me. We spent so much time and energy trying to put together something that was over in less than one hour. We spent so much money on food, drinks, decor and outfits because we needed to please our guests and the lecturer (for the marks of course). 

This got me thinking if society puts that much pressure on us that we feel the need to impress others or fit in anytime we undertake an activity. The problem with society is that we already have predetermined yardsticks on what we perceive as cool or 'uncool'.

You need to have a toned body, you need to drive a nice car, you need to dress in designer clothes, you need to party every weekend in the newest joints in town, you need to have a white collar job, you need, you need, you need!

The rules have already been set down for us and all we need to do is be conditioned like Pavlov's dog. This is one of the causes of student suicides in Daystar and many other places. The pressure to fit in. The pressure to impress. It's either society's way or the highway. 

It's sad to imagine that a student can take away their own life because they feel they don't 'fit in'. What happened to being your brothers keeper? What happened to loving your neighbor as you love yourself? The students that are weak at heart eventually give in to the pressure after months and months of trying to feel accepted. 

No one should be made to feel as if they don't belong. It's about time students got sensitized on this issue and society's yardsticks erased. Even the Bible states that we are all made in God's image and likeness meaning we are all equal. 

Let's all stop acting like Pavlov's dog and decide not to conform to society's set standards. Change starts from within. Set your own standards of what is 'cool' and only then shall you find true happiness and fulfillment. No other student should die because of society's pressures. Change ni mimi na wewe.