Some Humble Observations On Stress...

As I begin my second year at college, I find myself slightly older and wiser than I was as a poor, confused Freshman. Emphasis should be on the world "slightly." It seems that in times of stress, I keep on making the same counter-productive mistakes as I did last year. The only upside is that I'm aware of them now. :-) Here are a few humble observations of my behavior (and the behavior of those around me) when that lovely little subject of stress comes up.

1. Professors are knowingly and incontrovertibly in an evil alliance to assign all quizzes, tests, and major papers during the same exact week. This cannot be avoided no matter what professors you pick. Even the ones you thought were cool (because they were younger and perhaps only went by their first name, which was something usually along the lines of "Mark" or "Jenny") are in on this conspiracy.

2. The ability to read and comprehend a boring textbook chapter is directly proportional to the comfort level of the furniture being sat on while reading. For example, reading while on a plushy couch or warm bed is a recipe for immediate failure (also known as sleep). For best results, try to procure a bed of nails as the designated "reading chair."

3. Daily check-lists are only as good as their makers. For example, leaving certain key assignments off a check-list, while including such items as "Make sure to take a nap," goes against the point.

4. Being involved in 500+ student organizations is all well and good, and it certainly will look good on a resume. However, one of the goals of college is surviving to the point where one will be able to actually write a resume. Premature deaths due to heart attacks, strokes, or being buried in paperwork should be avoided at all costs, and the risk of these untimely ends goes up with each extracurricular activity.

5. Under no circumstance is the Internet your friend. Even when you're supposed to be doing research, the Internet is not your friend. Sure, you may think you'll be able to just log on to the Oxford English Dictionary website quickly and then get off, but that won't happen. First you'll say that a quick stop to Facebook couldn't hurt, then it will be MySpace, then Yahoo, then AIM, and before you know it you'll end up watching Britney's bad VMA performance for the 20th time on YouTube.

Just some things I've noticed... And yes, I should be doing homework right now.