By Riley Nowlan (Contributor) – Email
Print Edition: May 22, 2013
By the end of winter semester I have reached my limit. I have worn more pairs of sweatpants in the past month then I have in the rest of the year combined and the amount of study snack food I’ve consumed is a little embarrassing and anything but healthy.
One of the few things that get me through that last home stretch to my finals is the promise of a glorious four-month summer break. And I know I’m not alone in this feeling. I’ve seen the others, with their lack of makeup or hair gel and the addition of under-eye bags due to pulling all-night study sessions. How is it then, that some of you can muster up the motivation to do a summer semester?
When the Fraser Valley is finally blessed with some sunshine instead of the usual torrential rain, I want to enjoy it, and frankly, sitting in a classroom isn’t really my idea of a well-deserved summer vacation.
For starters: the parking. Apparently when the whole student population isn’t racing to make it to class, parking isn’t complete torture. Imagine having 10 minutes before class starts and instead of battling other students for the last parking spot, you find one with ease and are actually able to make it to class on time or even early. Imagine the amount of Advil you could save if you never again had to nurse a parking-induced migraine.
Secondly, have you noticed how everyone seems to be in a better mood when the weather’s nice? Maybe that extends towards professors and other classmates too. Imagine a classroom filled with cheerful and lively people, instead of the half-asleep zombies of the fall and winter semesters.
There’s also the lure of a reduced course load. You know that feeling you get when you get a mark back and it’s not exactly as good as you had hoped for, and you’re thinking if only you had less responsibilities you could have managed that A+?
Well, maybe the summer semester is where you will excel. With a reduced course load you would have more time to focus.
In theory, anyway.
I have enough trouble focusing on school without the draw of sunshine and beach days tempting me outside. I can’t imagine that I would be too eager to read a textbook or write a midterm if friends were texting and calling me to take part in the latest summer activity.
I do believe that I will continue to pass on the summer semester; however I admire those who have the willpower to give up their summer break in the pursuit of further education and knowledge. Nevertheless, I would prefer to let my brain go to mush, get a few sunburns, (because if you know me, you know I have never had a successful tan) relax, and enjoy a nice, long, education-free summer break.
