Negative comparisons, when we perceive others as better and/or ourselves as worse, can feel like a blow to the soul. College students, in particular, are struggling to negotiate a complex stew of expectations, desires, and obligations, and when they observe how others are doing, they can find many reasons to think they are not good enough.

Students are especially vulnerable to this since they usually negatively compare themselves to others in the very areas where they already feel lacking.

Perhaps most destructive, our perfectionist culture invites negative comparison. Being average or good enough is not okay. College culture celebrates getting a 4.0, sculpting a perfect body, excelling at sports or music, being awarded the best scholarship, winning a coveted........

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