College update: it is midterms week, also known as the week where one completely gives up on putting any time or effort into their appearance, sleep schedule, or anything that does not require your nose to be in a book. Rooms across campus are rented out with students that are fully engaged in preparing for exams, and classrooms fall silent at the start of each midterm. Stress levels are intensified, and it becomes hard to find anyone in a pleasant mood. Thankfully, DePaul students have another five weeks to enjoy college life before actual finals hit us like a truck. Let the countdown to winter break begin.

Unfortunately, I am saddened to say that this week hit me rather hard. Procrastination, my most relatable subject of discussion, has grabbed quite the hold on me. Motivation has been lacking, and energy levels have been low. It seems as though every time I have something truly important to focus on, such as midterms, I find something better to distract myself with. Instead of studying this past weekend, I took a last-minute road trip to the University of Iowa to experience Homecoming Weekend and to visit with friends. I spent a total of eighteen hours in Iowa, and I can truly say it was one of the most memorable weekends I have had. As I felt this trip was very much needed, my grades this week will likely argue otherwise. I have found myself waking up less than an hour before classes start, rotating between pairs my favorite PINK sweatpants, and making at least three trips to Starbucks a day for anything and everything containing espresso shots to keep my brain functioning. On a similar note, Rockstar’s have become my trusted study aids throughout this process, and although they are delicious and highly addictive, I am starting to question my decisions regarding my daily caffeine intake. I used to think that caffeine jitters were good, that was, until my hands started getting so shaky that I’ve had to drop my pen for a few minutes.

To the students that spend their time during midterms week studying in the library, I commend you. The library has never been a place that I often spend time in, because for some reason, I find I can never get anything done there. It is because of this that college has helped me gain a better understanding of how backwards my studying habits truly are. If I am not doing homework or studying in my room, I will accomplish absolutely nothing. I can never quite seem to keep my phone out of my hands while “studying,” so I have simply become accustomed to taking multiple breaks to check Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and anything else that is far from school related. I told myself that, if I was going to be leaving town for the weekend, then there would be no going out on weeknights so that I could allow myself the proper time to study. I am having a very difficult time following this rule, and am finding myself desperately checking off the days of this week on my calendar. I long for the day to come when I can resume my normal schedule and have time to relax again. To no surprise, that day is not coming quickly enough.

In essence, college, you are teaching me responsibility, discipline, and balance. You are also destroying my napping schedule, my time for Netflix, and my mood this week. As for midterms? Please, just go away.