As I write this, I am sitting in the Fisher Library ‘stacks’ (the research section), munching away on some Twix flavoured pods*, supposedly planning/writing several essays all due within a few hours of each other. First count, I had something in the realms of 11,000 words looming ahead of me. Most recent count revealed that I still have 10,990 words looming up ahead. At least I’ve got my first sentence out of the way.
It is always around this time of year – end of semester/take home exam/stuvac – that makes me write up a list of end of semester resolutions. I will go to class! I will do all of my readings! I will start my essays nice and early so that I don’t single-handedly keep Mars confectionary afloat with my life savings!
So – some wise words from yours truly. Go to class. Do your readings. Start your essays in a timely fashion. At the end of semester, you will be thankful for it. However, I also believe that you should strive to keep a balance between work and play. Don’t become a Fisher library hermit, shunning the plethora of social opportunities that uni offers you – whether it’s hanging out with the Rubik's Cube Society, playing a game of Ultimate Frisbee or entering the Band Competition. These things are incredibly rewarding, and I for one do not regret one bit the time I have spent on the extra-curricular side of things at Uni this semester because they were GREAT.
Just make sure you do your readings and go to class, because right now I am s-t-r-u-g-g-l-i-n-g to fully appreciate the ontological considerations of life-and-death in human existence, with reference to the Lacanian hermeneutic. I have a feeling that all those big words would mean a lot more to me had I done my readings on time.
*I WANT TO DIE. Pods, although “mind-bendingly delicious” according to one source, have the capacity to make me feel very ill after I have eaten about three of them. This still doesn’t stop me from finishing off an entire packet over the course of a day in Fisher library. Gurgle.