It’s that time of year again when pumpkins and ghouls come out to play. The spooky spirits aren’t the only ones giving us bad dreams, our midterms are sure to give us nightmares as well. Midterms are like full moons — they sneak up on us with no warning. The lack of sleep we experience can make us believe in the wickedness of the season.
We all know the struggle behind midterms, but that is not an excuse to give up on our studies. It’s go time. This is where we separate the cruisers from the serious students. Trust me, you want to be a serious student. Because serious students get internships, letters of recommendations from professors and other perks that are a great compensation for lack of sleep and an absent social life. Here are some ways to avoid being a cruiser and make the first step toward being a serious student.
Perseverance should be the only word in your dictionary. Don’t be fashionably late for class — it will become habit. That habit will hold on to you for dear life, because old habits die hard. I always strive to be early, so when my latent lateness kicks in, I’m actually on time. Don’t take the 9:50 a.m. shuttle for your 10 a.m. class from Lovernich. Boarding will be like trying to stuff a sausage — cramped and sometimes stinky. Wake up just 20 minutes earlier and hop on the 9:35 a.m. shuttle. You will breathe a sigh of relief when your backpack gets a cozy seat right next to you. This time of year is already stressful, don’t let something little like the shuttle ride to class add to that mound of anxiety. Take the time now to make small changes so that when finals roll up, you will be prepared to tackle them.
If you are late to class, don’t let your head fall before your bag even hits the ground. Falling asleep in class is not only rude, but it is also a waste of time. I’m sure the professors are with me in saying they would rather you stay home and sleep than come to class with the sole intention of counting sheep. Most professors will understand; for those who won’t, well, the Counseling Center is open to everyone.
Persistence should not only be present in your schoolwork but also in your wardrobe. Don’t break out the sweats just yet. Like I’ve said before, save those for finals. Trust me, midterms are just the beginning. Keep in mind that baggy sweaters are not the only way to stay comfy and warm during midterms. Even a simple tank with jeans and knit sweater jacket will keep your mind on your studies while looking fabulous.
Tobas Beta said it best: “only fools keep mocking perseverance.” Everyone has a friend who can brush the dust off their textbook the night before their exam and then proceed to get the highest grade in the class. While Pepperdine is filled with smart cookies, not everyone is a genius. That’s OK. So don’t make comments about your over-organized friend who is just trying to do well in a university that costs more than $50,000. You get as much as you put in. So keep going and don’t give up just yet: Thanksgiving break will be here before you know it.
As published in the Oct. 24, 2013 issue of the Pepperdine Graphic.
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Follow Jacklyn Maza on Twitter: @jbizzmazzz
