Busy, busy

Katie D.

February 7, 2009 - 6:00 PM

Korrin, a fellow Ducks@Oregon blogger recently wrote a blog entitled "Treat Yourself to a Massage." It immediately caught my eye because she writes about how busy we college students are. I mean, really, truly busy. She writes: "As college students, we don't just get up, go to work, come home, and sleep. We get up, go to class, go to work, work on our internships, do our homework, study for tests, apply for scholarships, go to meetings for the different clubs and organizations we're involved in, and if we're lucky we're in bed by 2:00am." We've all got our own set of activities, but I really think this statement is pretty true of the majority of students at the UO.

I was recently talking with a friend about how nice it will be someday to just have a nine to five job without homework to contend with after work. Life can get pretty darn crowded pretty darn fast around here.

This week I found myself mysteriously disorganized. I really don't know what threw me off. I started out the week in a normal way, but by the end I had forgotten to bring materials to class several times, lost my glasses, forgotten to write an essay (it was optional: we have to write two out of three, but STILL), and failed to do any preparation for a mid-term paper due Monday. How is this possible?

I think my schedule has finally caught up to me. Like Korrin said, we've got a lot going on. My particular mess of activities these days include class, Volunteers in Medicine, meetings for the Wesley Center, three jobs (blogging, tutoring for the American English Institute, and tours of the Honors College), working on a scholarly article for NOMAD magazine (the Comparative Literature Department's Undergraduate magazine), trying to stay in shape, working on my undergraduate thesis, writing scholarships, and maintaining my relationships with friends here and at home, as well as with my family. It's complicated. And it all catches up with me every once in a while.

This variety of experiences is one of my favorite things about college. There is so much going on, so many options, that I can't imagine anyone being bored. I have a list of at least five more activities I would add if I only had the time. Plus I thrive on this packed schedule that means every day is interesting and that every hour is precious.

But it can become exhausting. I'm at the point in the quarter when I am both desperate for an adventure and truly needing some down time to recover my equilibrium. I need to clean my room, cook myself some vegetables, write everything down on my calendar, and find my glasses. But I also feel strongly that I've got to get out of town soon - go on some adventure, remove myself from the routine, and have a good time.

It doesn't help that my mind is constantly on the places I'm not. Does that make sense? I have recently started identifying myself as a traveler, first and foremost. Several of my close friends are currently abroad, having amazing adventures at large in the world. Then there are all my dreams and plans of places to visit and things to do. When your #1 passion is travel, it is hard to be doing what you most want to do on a daily basis. For many years my #1 passion was literature: writing and reading. That was an easy one to take care of: carve out a little time, make yourself some hot chocolate, and bliss out over a journal or a new novel. I still love reading, just like I love so many aspects of my life here. But always, in the back of my mind, there is that list of places I haven't been, plans I've made for a "someday" that does not include the immediacy of midterms and all those other things that tie us to a place.

Now I sound whiny-er than I intend to. I have so many fabulous opportunities. I have fun and funny jobs that mostly allow me to do things I love. I love being a student and have amazing classes this term. I am excited about the work I'm doing at Volunteers in Medicine, so happy at the Wesley Center, and motivated about my writing project for NOMAD and for my thesis.

But things do add up. And the far horizon beckons...

For this weekend I'll be focusing on the whole organization thing. At least, that's the plan. I'll be trying to get ahead on some homework, get the house cleaned, and talk to some friends. Oh, and write that midterm for Monday. Research for NOMAD, meet with a group for a class project, plan next term's schedule, send my passport in for renewal, pay the bills, plan spring break.

Oof. Wish me luck.