Once the reading period starts, the atmosphere change is oh so tangible here on campus. First off, I should explain what reading period is. We get a couple of days in which we don’t have classes so that we can use that time to study. Theoretically we should be studying…but I’ve been using this time to recovery from a grueling semester. I had one recovery day in which I watched a Lord of the Rings movie. No shame. After that I buckled down and started studying. I admit, I justify a few too many naps but hey my mind is tired and the tired mind wants what it wants (get the reference?)
So back to the crazy atmosphere. I never thought this would be possible but students can actually radiate stress. You can see this in the library. The Starbucks near campus must be making a fortune out of us coffee zombies. At the library you see the students in pajamas, sweats, no-nonsense-topknots, and papers spread out all over desks. It’s a rough life but when it’s all over, it’s magical. It’s like a huge weight has been lifted off of your shoulders.
I think that what holds my sanity together is my study plan. I set up my agenda in a way that Miss Hermione Granger would be proud of. I split up my studying chunks evenly so that I had direction and a map as to how I was going to study. All that it counts on is that I actually adhere to it, and thus far that is what I am doing.
It’s really easy to get sucked into the competition of “Who is the most stressed out,” but don’t fall into that rut because you’ll only end up feeling bad for yourself and be even more miserable. Just don’t do it.
I’ll tell you what you should do. Make a study plan, stick to it, get yourself some finger foods so that you can munch on while hitting the books. Most importantly, give yourself some time to relax and decompress. I relax by strumming my guitar and hitting it up with my best friend who I’ll introduce to you as Netflix (you may have not heard of him).
Stay sane my fellow friends. “What we do now will echo in eternity!” (Another reference…I’ve clearly spent too much time on Netflix… That bit was from an awesome pump up speech in the film Gladiator.)