I grew up in a household with two teachers for parents. My education has always been extremely important to me. Most people aren't necessarily concerned with their GPA, as long as their passing all of their classes. I've always strived to maintain straight As. Doing this throughout high school, wasn't extremely challenging for me, but I knew coming to college was going to be a different story. In an attempt to maintain my straight A streak I read every chapter assigned, got tutoring when needed, and did every extra credit assignment available.
I can't describe the number of crazed, droopy-eyed students I see around the last few weeks of the semester. Everyone's working on five final projects, one for each class. People have gone days with too little sleep, too little food, and too much stress.
I don't know if it's senioritis that's kicking in, or if experience has just helped me realize, but enough is enough. Professors claim they're helping us get "real world" experience and college is helping to prepare us for what's out there. Welp, I'm calling your bluff. I'm currently a full-time student taking five classes, working 40 hours a week, and involved in three different organizations on campus. This all-together, including time spent doing homework, etc. adds up to approximately 70+ hours a week. I don't need your petty assignments and busy work to help prepare me for the real world, I think I can manage, thanks. Needless to say, I've come to learn that there are a few things that are more important than my education. Underclassmen, take note:
1. Sleep
I've always had difficulty understanding how some people can run on five or less hours of sleep. I'm a zombie if I don't get at least seven. And unfortunately I've had many experience in which I didn't get off work until 10:30 and was up until 1:00 doing homework then got to wake up at 7:00 for an 8:00am class. It gets even worse when this happens two or three days in a row. My friends make fun of me for taking so many naps, but seriously, how do you expect a girl to survive? You can't function without sleep. I've made myself sick from lack of sleep because of all the homework and extra-cirricular activities I've had to partake in. And honestly, it's just not worth it. So, if you're ever wondering if you should study or just go to bed... Go to bed.
2. Physical Activity & Nutrition
This past summer I actually had a "real" job. I got out of work at 5:15pm every day, went for a run, made a healthy dinner. So please, professors, explain to me how your obscene amount of homework that barely gives me the time to stop at McDonald's down the street is helping to prepare me for my "real" job. Nutrition, physical activity, and sleep all go hand in hand. If you're not eating right and taking care of your body, once again, you're going to become sick. So, feeling stressed about all your reading? Run it off. People can influence your mood and workload, but no one can take your run.
3. Your Social Life
"Sorry guys, I can't come out this weekend, I have way too much homework." Been there, done that. The fact that I can't go out and socialize with people and be around people isn't doing me any good. I can't talk in class because I'm supposed to be listening, I can't talk after class because I'm doing the unGodly amount of homework you gave me, soooo, what am I supposed to do, talk to myself in my sleep? Cool. Just so you know, this "real world" you're preparing me for, it's going to involve me having some interaction with human beings. Forget the reading and go forget your problems with a drink in your hand.
4. Your Sanity
Sophomore year I was taking six classes and doing an internship at the same time. Talk about no life. If I wasn't at the station I was sitting at my kitchen table doing homework. Literally. I was miserable, irritable, and constantly cranky. I didn't even want to be around myself, so I couldn't imagine who in their right mind would? When you're constantly stressed and lacking sleep, you become a huge bitch. And I mean, it's truly not directly your fault. Because your body is lacking the care and energy it needs, you can't function like normal. I can recall on numerous occasions throwing books, yelling at my cat, and just ignoring people because I "wasn't in the mood." If that's what your life is coming to, put the books away and take a break.
5. Your Friends
If you're cranky and moody you may not treat your friends as well as you should. But last time I checked Aristotle and his book of ethics aren't gonna be able to console you when the guy you've been dating for the past year breaks your heart into pieces and stomps them into the ground. Your friends will understand that you have homework to do, but every now and then it'd be nice if you chose them too.
Life is a beautiful thing and we only get one chance to make it spectacular. Don't let it pass you by because all you did was homework. Cause let me tell you- AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!
