Though the weather might try to dumbfound us into believing we are still in those lazy days of summer, we are not. We are, in fact, at the delightful season that I have so cleverly named: Midterm Death Time.
I am sure you are all familiar with that time of the year where you have a 5-7 page analysis, 200 pages of law to study, three websites to design and a statistics exam all in the span of 36 hours. On top of that, you have killed two pets in three days, your very loud and Hispanic South American parents found out you got in a wreck – and failed to tell them, but the insurance company did – and on the weekend you need to get all your work done, you had volunteered to go lead a retreat where you need to put on your happy face and go spread rainbows and butterflies among the dandy new retreaters.
I know you can identify with some, if not all, of what I just said.
What to do when you want nothing more than to punch everyone in the face and go lie in the sun and not worry about anything but napping? I have been a senior for two months now and fortunately, I had the epiphany that you can’t take on all of your responsibilities without having a scapegoat for the massive amounts of stress you experience as a student, early on.
Personally, I run. There is nothing more satisfying than to blow off some steam while sightseeing in beautiful Audubon Park. You can count on the 60-year-old-wears-lots-of-makeup-lady, or the I’m-on-a-lot-of-steriods-and-im-going-to-run-in-a-tight-tank-top-dude, or even the I-have-seven-toddlers-and-im-going-to-bring-all-of-them-with-me-on-a-walk-mom to lighten your terrible day.
If you’re not the working out type, you could try the opposite, another favorite among the students: napping. Napping is a novel concept. This fantastic relaxation activity initiated back-in-the-day and it involves the tired, worn out victim to sleep for a small amount of time to recharge energy.
Other students have also confided in me the secret to their Midterm Death Time survival. “I drink lots of pineapple juice,” said Michael Kammer, physics junior.
Some have also suggested relying on close friends or family members and having a heart-to-heart. Taking long walks, a drive, or listening to some of your favorite jams are also ways in which I have come to learn that students undertake stress.
Though an unrealistic fantasy of mine, in a utopian society, educators would come to terms with their students and actually not make them turn in half a semester’s worth of studying and work all in one or two days. They would spread out the work and create a conflict-free environment where students can lay in the sun and nap as much as they please without having the choking sensation that they are having a panic attack. Oh wait: we are getting prepared to live in the real world now and the real world doesn’t care for happiness or fun.
So, unfortunately it’s time to put your adult pants on, and get working. Hopefully these little tidbits of knowledge can help you through these tough times and if you’re anything like me, you will take on Midterm Death Time with your head held high and a mustache drawn on your upper lip. Good luck!
Alexia Barrail is a mass communication senior. She can be reached at [email protected].
In My Opinion is a column open to any Loyola student. Those interested can contact [email protected].
