Wonder women of DePauw, do you ever have those weeks in which it is better to not look in your planner and bear witness to exactly how much you have to do? Let’s be honest, for whatever reason, women at DePauw are expected to be the ultimate jugglers; classes, Greek houses, sports, clubs, study groups, campus leadership, and then of course trying to maintain some remnants of a social life. Take it from a fellow over-achieving, over-committing, over-extended woman; it is fun, it is an adventure, and it is HARD. So what do we need to do about it?
I wish I could tell you that this is the part in the article where I give you the secret three-step process to decluttering your life, but alas, that is not the case. There are some things that seem to work for me though. For instance, get off campus. We all have a tendency to get stuck in the DePauw rut with no hope of getting out. Whether it be driving to Plainfield for an afternoon or grabbing a bite at the Jackson Double Decker, sometimes just an hour or two away can make all of the difference in the world. You return with a fresh motivation you did not possess when you left. Additionally, call someone off campus. Part of the DePauw rut can just be in losing track of the world outside of our five block by five block area. Call your mom, a friend from a home, even a psychic network; just someone who cannot comment on the latest Greek scandal or an upcoming Seminar paper.
Another great way to do this is to use a completely under utilized word here at DePauw (say it with me now) “No.” For such a small campus we have an exhausting amount of extracurricular opportunities all of which seem to be constantly asking for our time in one way or another. Don’t be afraid to be that person that doesn’t raise their hand; seriously. I know it will feel foreign at first. Imagine it; looking around a room with four or five people with their hands in the air as both of yours rest on the table. I promise the guilt will subside. It is time to once again use the phrase we all learned in elementary school about illegal substances, “Just say no.”
Lastly, we have to cut each other a break. We all have bad days. Sometimes rolling out of bed and throwing on some sweats and a rarely-seen-in-public pair of glasses is the best we can do. On those days us ladies need to support one another instead of being over critical. We have that wonderful thing called women’s intuition and for the most part we can tell if someone is just not themselves. Try extending a smile and a “How are you doin’” rather than judgment; that way when you are having that day hopefully someone will return the kindness.
So, women of DePauw, while our juggling skills may make circus clowns envious, don’t be afraid to do yourself a favor and get rid of a few of the flying objects every once in a while. If you drop one, I will do everything I can to help you pick it up; please do the same on the day I most surely drop one (or more) as well.
Student Body President
Christine E. Walker