As a (failed) Dry January comes to an end, and as Essay/Ball season arrives I’m wondering how best to proceed in order to have fun, but also do well in college..
Time is ticking on my term as a student.
Final year; even just by name, is a constant reminder that your time is nigh. In a matter of months, with my four-year tenure of student coming to an end, I will become a graduate of Trinity College Dublin. As my months trickle down to weeks I am finding it hard to balance academics with enjoying college and being a student.
Remember the days of secondary school? Where we trudged through loathed subjects faithfully believing in the Promised Land; college.
That naive belief that "I'll have chosen what I wanted to study, that'll make it easier and more enjoyable!"
Ignorance is bliss; even when you like the subject, there’s always something better to be doing than sitting at a desk reading/writing/studying. And of course, fourth year demands an urgency to study. Compared to the Freshman years, there is now a pressing necessity to be in the library, actually attend 9am lectures, and do more than just get by.
Whereas before the academics were a background to everything else college offered, the worth of the degree this year dictates the course of my days and the never ending pursuit of numbers; essays worth 25 per cent,exams worth 75 per cent, 2:1 etched on the background of my mind.
From the get-go, college was sold to us as this "once in a lifetime experience", by parents, teachers, the media etc. And yet, a lot of the time the things that make college the unique experience that it is are the ones we feel guilty about in fourth year, - a feeling usually reserved exclusively for exam time- , aware that this won't make you more employable, isn't a productive use of time.
Soon enough, we’ll all be whisked off to the working world, with limited holiday days, mandatory attendance, and devoid of weekday drinking.
College will be a distant memory, in close vicinity but seemingly worlds away. Even things that are easily accessible here; whether that be finding a sports team, writing for a newspaper, or volunteering for a charity, are going to be harder to seek out next year, an active effort outside of the 9-5 that will direct your days.
This year, there is an element of "this will be the last time we do this!" , a pre-prepared excuse for the 'unproductive' events. The threat of future routine overlooking decisions.
At the moment, our days are free of real responsibility; we are not yet tied to heavy familial obligations, or full-time jobs. There will be few other times in our lives from here on in, where this is the case.
When else will we have the chance to go to balls, or mystery tours? When else will we have the chance for the day to start guilt free at 11am? When else will you be able to meet such a diverse group of people?
The academics are important, and yeah the CV is too, so make sure to remember all those things, but college is also about the craic. Although not quantifiable, it doesn't mean that it's a waste of time.
Final year is a battle between trying not to get distracted by the nostalgia of the past and the potential of the future, but focusing on the present, making the most of today. Whether that be by spending hours in the library to meet a deadline, or drinking at 3pm in the day. It's all about balance.
