Semester’s Hassles Only Temporary for College Students

Sleepless nights, coffee breaks, papers due…and it’s only the third week of school.

Combine that with back to school meetings, extracurricular activities, and trying to cobble together some semblance of a social life, we as students easily become disillusioned and overwhelmed.

Sitting in my literature class Monday night, I realized there were only three full months left in the semester.

There are only 12 seemingly endless weeks to freedom, no more teachers, and no more overpriced books (until, of course, next semester).

While we stress ourselves out over the smallest details, like lost handouts or forgetting to bring a pen to class, the reality is that in a few years none of it will matter.

The University of Mary Washington is not our demise (no matter how often it may seem like it).  It’s our beginning.

For many of us, going to college was our first chance at independence, even if our parents still pay for our laundry.

This being said, why are we trying to force ourselves to do everything we can while we’re in school?

The job market is slim, leaving many of us with internships even though we have degrees in hand, instead of real professions.

There is too much left unseen in the world to make settling down alluring.

In the real world, 4 a.m. fire drills don’t exist and no one forces you to pay for meal plans you don’t use.

However, apartments don’t typically come furnished, so get used to scouring Craigslist for hours to find a cheap sofa for your even cheaper apartment, where you won’t have at least 50 friends within a half-mile radius.

Shouldn’t we enjoy living in the bubble while we can?

Here is my challenge to you Mary Washers, coming straight from someone with absolutely no credible experience in the matter.

Stop pulling your hair out because you have four papers due this week and two tests the week after next.

Don’t worry that our school lacks testosterone; there is no rule that says a potential Mr. (or Mrs.) Right will disappear after graduation.

Walking across the stage without a ring on your finger is not a failure.

While small things won’t matter in the long run, we should still strive to do our best, networking for jobs and doing well in class. Realize, however, that one missed homework assignment is not going to destroy a G.P.A.

In the grand scheme of things, your time here amounts to roughly five percent of the average American’s life expectancy.

Don’t waste your five percent sitting and waiting inside the fence.