Sep

23

*THAT* Point

category icon Posted in General

Hey Hawkeyes,

We have officially reached *that* point in the semester. The point where everyone has either taken their first test of the semester or getting ready to take their first test of the semester and the homework is really hitting. Lab reports deadlines are approaching, the homework is getting harder, organizations are trying to plan events, and unfortunately for a lot of people, most people are sick.

Typically, the first couple of weeks aren’t too bad. Some of the material may be review and project deadlines seem far away. Everyone wants to hang out with friends and “study” (aka watch youtube videos, listen to 90s playlists, go get ice cream, and talk about their weekend plans). Now everyone is realizing they need to buckle down and actually start studying (aka secluded in a quiet corner with their best study music). It’s also been just enough time for slight sleep deprivation, poor diet, and the high concentration of students in small spaces to weaken the immune system and it seems like everyone is coughing and sneezing.

My friends know this as the point where they barely see me. I enjoy talking and hanging out with everyone on my floor in the early evenings for the first few weeks. And then the homework really starts and the lab reports need more focus. I’m also busy with organizations and work responsibilities. I usually pack my backpack at 8 a.m. (7 a.m. on Thursdays), and don’t return to my room until 8 or 9 p.m. It definitely results in creative packing and prioritizing exactly what I’ll work on during free time. From now on, I will pretty much only have real free time (like to watch movies and hang out with friends for more than 30 minutes) on the weekends. It’s kinda sad, but it’s also really nice to be in a routine where there’s a strict structure to each day. I think it helps keep me focused and more productive.

I hope everyone is staying healthy and feeling ready for *that* point in the semester!

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