the “success” story of a lazy, yet ambitious child

"Where am I supposed to get $2,000 from to pay my term bill?" These words from a college friend stunned me during what I thought was a routine conversation about tuition costs. I was struck by disbelief. How could someone be stressed about $2,000? If my term bill were that low, I could handle it on my own. That fleeting thought revealed a much deeper ignorance within me, one I wasn’t even aware I had.

Fast forward a year, and my perspective has completely shifted. I’ve begun a journey of self-awareness, one that has forced me to confront the privilege I’ve lived with my entire life. This journey hasn’t just opened my eyes, it’s lit a fire under me, pushing me to strive for more, and to make the most of the opportunities I’ve been given, and to recognize the responsibility that comes with such advantages.

Growing up, financial hardships were never a part of my reality. My father’s constant support meant I never had to worry about money, and I mistakenly believed that my experience was the average American experience. This belief followed me right up until I arrived at college in Camden, NJ, a city often labeled with stereotypes about poverty and crime. Suddenly, I was surrounded by peers whose lives were so different from mine. They worked long hours, supported their families, and took on massive student debt, all while balancing and sometimes excelling in school. It was a stark contrast to my life of comfort, and for the first time, I started to feel my own complacency weigh on me.

My dad had always warned me, “Your biggest flaw is your laziness, Srijan.” I see now how right he was. My lack of struggle had left me too comfortable, robbing me of the drive to push myself. My parents raised me with a “golden spoon,” and while I’m forever grateful, it’s clear that this privilege made me passive. I had every opportunity laid out before me, and yet I quit countless extracurriculars my parents encouraged me to join. I never once stopped to think that I was fortunate to even have those opportunities because many kids never get a chance to explore the things I did.

The turning point came when I met Kiyara, a woman who I now consider an older sister. Her story shook me out of my complacency in a way nothing else ever had. Kiyara is just a few years older than me, yet her life is infinitely more challenging. She’s a pre-med student, juggling intense coursework with the responsibilities of being a mother to two kids under five. She works harder than anyone I know, despite having every reason to give up. Watching her balance school and motherhood so gracefully forced me to reevaluate my own life. If she could manage all of that and still give her best, what excuse did I have?

Kiyara’s determination sparked something in me. From that moment on, I decided to stop coasting through life. I pushed myself to study harder, to get more involved on campus, and to finally tap into the potential I’d been neglecting for so long.

It wasn’t enough just to join a few clubs. I immersed myself on campus. I now sit on the executive board of two organizations, work as a research assistant in a pediatric psychology lab, and am taking 21.5 credits this fall semester, all while serving as a Bonner Civic Scholar and interning with a local nonprofit. I’ve just recently applied to join the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee under the Student Government Association, and I feel like I’m finally pushing every limit, testing how far I can go. Every time I succeed, it feels like I’m proving something, not just to myself, but to the younger version of me who never tried hard enough.

Privilege isn’t inherently bad. However, it becomes dangerous when we aren’t aware of it. For a long time, my privilege stunted my growth, allowing me to stay in my comfort zone. But once I became conscious of it, it transformed into a motivator. I no longer see it as something to feel guilty about, but as a resource to use wisely. It has driven me to strive for more, not just for myself, but for those around me.

So, to everyone reading this, no matter what your background is, there’s privilege in your life, too. It may not look the same as mine, but it’s there. The key is to recognize it, be grateful for it, and use it, not as a reason to stay comfortable, but as fuel to drive you toward growth and to lift others as you rise.