Jump Starting the New School Year

Okay, who is ready for summer to be over? That’s right, not a single hand’s raised. And while that may have been a trick question—for it would be impossible to see a show of hands from the other side of the computer screen—I believe that is a unanimous decision.

All except for professors, of course.

Now, I’m not quite sure if every professor has a background in mechanics, but they really know how to jump-start (jump-start a school year, that is). Now remember our dear ole’ friend syllabus week? Well syllabus week has died a slow, painful death, and I think we all felt the pain from that one.

Entering my second year, I thought I had my academic bearings down. No longer was I randomly scoping out Washtenaw avenue during welcome week, or frantically hoping I would eventually stop wandering and find the Angell Hall auditorium. But as professors seemed to completely ignore the prized week known as “syllabus week,” their mechanical knowledge was recognized. And so, I’ve become way too accustomed to the fourth floor of the UGLI, and put one too many books on reserve. I thought I would have a grace period to collect my readings, but I had surely been mistaken. This is Michigan, where, apparently, we jump right on in: “the Michigan Difference”.

On top of the heavy workload and disturbing amounts of unread emails (when did I start receiving so many emails?), try throwing rush into the mix. Now, I know a vast majority of the campus is not involved in Greek Life—this is no “sorostitute” speech—but the headache that greets me as I finally, finally am reunited with my bed is unwelcoming. And those songs, whether you’re singing them or simply an innocent bystander, will never quite escape you. And lets be honest, 11:30 PM is way too late to be starting my homework. That’s way  past my bedtime—embarrassing, but true. And the homework load isn’t easy; remember, we were deprived of syllabus week.

I long for the days where my biggest concern was back-to-school shopping. Considering that stressed me out, simply imagine the current wreck I am now. So if you see a girl passed out in the library (preferably the stacks) or throwing back coffees, give me a shout out—it’s most likely me.

Hey, I know we’re all adapting back to this current environment, and, so, I wish everyone my best. But, after all, this is Michigan. We can do it.