Excuse me if I need a Goddamn moment!

For many of us in university, we do not just need a moment, we need a whole day. For some of us, it is easier. That I can attest. For some of us, we do not take breaks lightly.

I am one of those people. While my schedule might allow for me to skip class, I do not do it. I like going to class and learning new things. I like seeing people. But I, like other students, have a life outside of class, which does include friends and fun, but it also includes homework and work. It includes sometimes having so many things going on that no one knows which way is up.

At this point of the year, it may be most people.

Leading up to finals-- and even worse, the week before finals-- a break will need to be taken. It is a chance to take a step back and relax. Whatever that means to you, but it means to get away. Perhaps it is never leaving your bed. But for most people, it is literally getting away.

A nice drive through Superior and an exit later, a drive through on an old road with high trees looking down, only to open up on a peninsula. To my left, the water was a nice blue and calm. No, I thought, because if I closed my eyes, I smelt the sea. I just needed to roll down my window to listen as the waves rolled in. To my right, there was the beach, going all the way to lot 22. Lot 3 is perfect, and I stop my car there. Grabbing my bag and blanket, I watch as the brown waves roll up on the sand from Lake Superior. I lay down and take a moment. In fact, I take the whole afternoon.

There are no constant messages from people. If they want something, too bad because my phone is off. Whatever is happening in classes is no longer my business. Whatever happens will happen. Whatever happens in class will have to wait until next time. Whoever is waiting for me should’ve known better.

Out here, I breathe. Out here, I am free. I do not count the moments that are coming. I do not glance at the clock to know what time class will end. I do not have questions for class. I do not have to worry about the homework among other things to do. I do not have to worry about paperwork that needs to be done. I do not need to know, and I do not need to worry.

While I lay on the shore, I see other people come and go. I know others that skipped today and have skipped other days, yet we are penalized. I do not skip classes, so this was my first time, and it was good. It was what I needed. We are told to work every day, but here I am, needing a break, like so many others. Sometimes the weekends are not long enough, or the work on weekends bleeds into our weeks. There is nowhere to escape because someone constantly needs something. It is a time to find out what I need.

I drive back into town, go back into my room, and I feel refreshed. I can take on the world again. I am ready for all those exams and essays that will come my way, and all the essays and exams I have survived for this whole semester. Summer does not come fast enough.

I have more liberal teachers in the sense of they allow me to tell them I need a day. For others, not so much. We work ourselves until we fall over, and that is no way to live.

So, good bye, all, as I take day, and perhaps I will stay in bed all day. Perhaps I will go out and be somewhere else. Either way, if you need me, do not even try. I feel relaxed. I feel free.