Survival Skills in Modern Society: Work, College,

Survival Skills in Modern Society: Work, College, And Daily Life

Back in the days of early man, human beings had three basic needs: food, shelter, and clothing. The human body has not changed much since these early days. However, human civilization has changed a great deal over history. Different survival skills are required to survive in modern times. Once upon a time, being a great hunter or a great warrior was what made someone 'talented' at survival. Today, we have no need to kill game or even grow our own food. Unless someone is serving in the military, the skill of fighting in combat is not required. We can buy our own food at the grocery store, drive where we need to go rather than walk on foot. We do not have to tell if a plant is poisonous or not before we eat it. We can search out medical experts rather than try to cure ourselves. However, no matter how comfortable our lives may be, there is one survival skill we cannot do without -- the skill of making good choices. In fact, since there are so many options with which we are confronted, the need for us to make good choices as humans has only grown, rather than contracted.

Simply waking up in the morning is a choice. When I hear the alarm, do I push snooze and forgo the gym? Do I skip my early morning classes? When early humans woke in the morning, they had a simple choice -- move around and seek food and shelter, or be killed. Today, humans must use foresight and discipline to see into the future. Yes, if I skip going to the gym today, it may not hurt me. But if I make sleeping in an unhealthy habit, it will affect me later on. Creating the foundation of 'healthy habits' and seeing the end results of a collection of small, positive actions is an essential survival skill for modern life. Similarly, one or two missed classes might not seem like a big deal, until they begin to mount and the student is confronted with the specter of a failing year.

While identifying the consequences of healthy and unhealthy choices is important, it is also important not 'sweat the small stuff' and get stressed out. Because multitasking is such an integral part of human life today, it is easy to feel overwhelmed with the multitude of choices confronting us, and be obsessed with perfection. Looking good, having nice things, wondering what the job market will look like upon graduation can all seem like overwhelming pressures. When someone is feeling 'cornered,' it is easy to envy the survival needs of early humans, who were worried about their next meal and outrunning an antelope, rather than trying to be 'all things to all people' -- friends, family, and loved ones. Being able to set priorities, take one task at a time, and have a sense of perspective, focus, and a sense of humor is essential in one's personal and professional life. Being able to say 'no' and having a sense of boundaries is a vital component in remaining sane.