That huge semester project your professor told you about at the beginning of the semester? It’s probably due in April. The last two tests on the schedule? Both will probably be crammed in April. All of those homework assignments your professor kept telling you they would assign? They will probably be assigned and due in April. Everything your teachers did not make time for the rest of the semester? All of that will probably be assigned, completed, or due in April.
Those fun events you have seen advertised for a while now? It’s gonna happen in April. That huge day of service? Yeah, April. All of those sorority/fraternity events? (Socials, philanthropy events, and spring formals) You guessed it, it’s happening in April. Everything happens in April.
Throw in a full time job, or maybe a few organizations, and I am sure some of those organizations you hold a leadership position. Any religious activities do tend to take up some time as well.
April has become the last ditch effort, catch all, for getting stuff done before summer vacation, but that may not be such a bad thing…
Every executive meeting for my sorority the past month we have talked about how our women feel over-programed. We are losing members over the fact that they feel like that have too much to do and not enough time. I get that April is busy. My whole semester has been busy. I am juggling pre-med classes, numerous organizations, a handful of leadership positions, planning a huge service event, tutoring whoever walks into my room needing help, and so much more is being slid onto my plate. I am stressed. But I realize I am no busier than anybody else. I have the same 24 hour period and 7 days week; I just choose to make the most of that time. This causes me to feel a little overwhelmed, but this is nothing compared to the hectic schedule my life will one day take on.
If and when I make it to medical school, the amount of hours that will be required of me will be overwhelming. Throw in a possible serious relationship or maybe even a marriage, and that already seems busier than a college April. What about after graduation when life is in full swing? I will be juggling a full time job along with running a household. Cleaning, laundry, and cooking will be just a few of the responsibilities that will fall on my shoulders. More than anything, I want to be a mom, so throw some rugrats into the mix too. Doctor’s appointments, soccer games, nap time, homework, and nighttime routines will have to be added to my increasingly busy schedule.
Being a doctor it’s not like I can just call in “sick” anytime I don’t feel like coming in. People are counting on me to bring them healing and relief. I have responsibilities as a wife I can’t just not do, and being a mom is a 25/8 occupation. There are no sick days or breaks.
College Aprils are more than late nights spent trying to get everything done. College Aprils are more than feeling stressed out to the max. College Aprils are more than a few mental breakdowns. College Aprils not only make you have a new appreciation for coffee, but they also prepare you for the real world in more ways than one.
So before you start getting overwhelmed with April and contemplating waving your white flag, strap on your boots and prepare for a winning battle. A fight that not only will make you feel really good about everything you have taken on this crazy April, but also an encounter that will prepare you for the rest of your crazy, hectic life.
