Written by Cory Crabb
When returning to college, I didn’t expect to have that familiar overwhelming feeling of school, friends, clubs etc. pile up on me so quickly. The library desks are becoming more familiar than I want, Canvas is getting longer every day and keeping track of names isn’t getting any easier. Getting very small amounts of sleep doesn’t help much and if I’m taking a nap it probably means I’m accidentally skipping a class.
Approaching week six, I realize there has to be a more efficient way to approach a collegiate life. To find out how to do so, I attempted some different strategies, many of them suggestions from others. I was told to work ahead and then I would have nothing to worry about. This sounded great until I was ahead on some assignments and behind on others. I finally found out (after lots of catching up) that this was not a great approach for me. My second approach was to take breaks and take time off for other people, events and activities. I had fun going to all of the available club events, meeting new people and catching up with old ones. Unfortunately, I found myself in the same position academically having to catch up and stay up too late studying.
Long story short, I ended up back where I started. If you have figured out the perfect method to approach life, please let me know. This journey wasn’t a complete waste. While I wasn’t able to find rest in the typical sense, it approached me elsewhere.
I got to help a friend with a podcast, go to a few mixers, paint a canvas of David Bowie, tape 52 playing cards to my dorm wall and so much more. This was my rest. Yours might be very different, or it could be similar. Either way, we might be able to get through these classes together. Let’s make sure we find the rest we need along the way.
So, get some sleep. Listen to German music. Talk to your friends. Eat a pretzel crust pizza from little caesars at 10:30 a.m just because you can. Learn to play the harmonica or don’t, not many songs have a harmonica in them. I found out this was the rest I needed to feel better and love the opportunities I’ve been given. Enjoy the little time you have left here at Harding, it might just be the rest you have been waiting for.
