1. Discover Your Purpose When Motivation Wanes

In my freshman year, a hundred of us packed into a lecture hall, where we were informed that “the only degrees harder than this are Law and Medicine.” That should have prompted me to rethink my decision, especially considering the arduous journey ahead. Yet, this was my lifelong dream—telling stories through art was my destiny. Despite being an F student in high school, my artistic abilities were my only viable skill. Quitting was never an option for me. Maintaining a clear “why” proved essential when I faced the daunting reality of my degree's challenges. Within weeks, half of my peers had withdrawn.

2. Prioritize Time for Rejuvenation

Like many of my fellow students, there were nights I lay in bed with a racing mind, consumed by my assignments. Despite my academic struggles in the past, university education posed a level of mental strain I had never encountered. Our studies encompassed not just animation but also lighting, color theory, filmmaking, video games, and visual effects—the list was extensive. I hit a brick wall. For the first time, I experienced burnout and needed a year off to recover. However, I didn’t just need rest; I needed to rejuvenate. Rather than lying in bed with insomnia, I focused on self-improvement through painting, reading, and other activities that helped me return with renewed strength.

3. Cultivate Relationships to Endure Difficult Times

During our first semester, we took 3D animation classes. I struck up a friendship with a classmate, and we often teased each other about our clumsy animated walk cycles. Our personalities were starkly different—he was extroverted and boisterous, while I was introverted and drained after brief social interactions. However, forming this friendship was crucial during tough times. On days I felt like giving up, he provided support, encouragement, and laughter when I was overwhelmed. Building a supportive network is vital for fostering resilience—it can enhance our determination, provide empathy, and remind us that we’re not alone in our struggles.

4. Inner Strength Can Be Developed

Having inner strength isn’t an innate trait; it’s more akin to a muscle that we can build over time. I had been unknowingly developing my resolve since childhood, drawing inspiration from cartoons. My desire to pursue this degree had been clear since I was 16. My inner strength had matured over the years. If you haven’t yet developed this resolve, you can cultivate it by setting goals and facing challenges that foster a growth mindset. Everyone has areas of resilience that are stronger than others, and understanding our strengths and weaknesses is part of personal growth.

5. Embrace Adaptability in the Face of Setbacks

Resilience is about the ability to bounce back from adversity. The friend I met in my first year became my collaborator for our short film, alongside two other talented classmates. We were working on a live-action film featuring an actress in a CGI setting—a girl perched on the edge of a boardwalk outside a quaint fishing cottage. Midway through, a conflict caused our team to split, leaving just my friend and me. Unable to proceed with the live-action format, we had to adapt quickly to finish the project, or risk failing the crucial component of our grades. We transformed it into an animated short, which ultimately led to great internship opportunities that summer.

Building resilience involves discovering new pathways to navigate challenges. It is not merely a trait we tap into during tough times; we cultivate resilience through our connections with others during hardships. Taking time to recover from stress and exhaustion is crucial to prevent burnout. Setting clear goals helps to clarify our purpose, enabling us to persevere in the face of adversity. The essence of resilience lies in our ability to overcome obstacles and adapt when things don’t go as planned.