The alarm clock goes off in the early morning and you know that it’s time to grind. Throw a little face cleaner on, drink a few cups of coffee, and you’re out of the door. When you ask an SMU student at the beginning of the semester how they are, the typical answer is: “I’m good!” Now that finals are coming up, you will receive, “I am so exhausted and I have no time for anything.” It’s not unusual for students to wake up before the sun and to go to bed hours after the sun has set. SMU students are tired and you should be cautious when you approach them because, yes, we may attack.
There is usually that week where literally every paper, project, and assignment is due. At this time, students are contemplating on if they should change their major, if a bad grade really matters, or if they should go out and forget about their problems. Yet, this is also the time when realization hits and they understand why this college accepted them. The work ethic that they presented in their admittance application is the reason why SMU wanted them. It may be the worst week ever, but there will always be the weekend to celebrate all of the hard work that was put in throughout the week.
Dealing with other people is the last thing that SMU students want when the week is already rough. Group presentations are possibly the worst concept that professors could have thought of. Imagine being told through text that you are expected to present with no preparation for the project with a one-day notice. This stress that is now added to the workload is literally death. Yeah, just try to get that done after you had to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to crew a news show, actually have class, go to your chapter meeting, do all of your homework and reading, and then get into bed a little after midnight. Do not tell a college student that your middle name is “busy” when they are already having 20+ hour days.
It is going to be a “struggle bus” day when you chase your coffee with coffee. The amount of coffee that an SMU student consumes in a week is incredible. With the stress level on the rise, SMU students will keep Starbucks and Café 100 in business for forever. I admit, some days I have three cups of coffee and I am still desperate for a nap by mid-afternoon.
SMU students have to work harder today than when their parents were in college. To get a job right out of college without experience is a joke now. On top of being a full-time student, they also have to intern with prospective offices to gain experience and the skills to not be in debt for their whole life. While students are waiting to gain more knowledge during college, they have to work odd side jobs to make a living just to survive. Personally, I have two jobs and am about to add a third one to pay for all the expenses that come with surviving the college and sorority life.
So, before you are about to make a remark to an SMU student, rethink what you are about to say. To all the SMU students, take that extra shot at Homebar on Thursday night. You deserve it!
