Here we are again. It’s officially that time of the semester. Reality set in when the gentle reminder e-mail from my advisor crept up into my inbox. He sent his biannual message to give that loving shove warning us that scheduling for classes was just around the corner: “It’s just about that time again, folks.” This was my wakeup call that once again the hunger games were upon us as students fight each other for optimal times and premium professors so that they can ensure a smooth and comfortable upcoming semester. Why do we put ourselves through this? Well, there are several factors that impact the situation. However, there is one common denominator that all of the decisions link to, which is the never-ending acknowledgement of the pertinent success that awaits us in our future.
In the past, when I had seen his notice, I felt a sudden drop in my stomach that was usually followed by eye rolling, frantic texting with my friends to compare schedules, and the occasional spat of frustration when a class was offered at an inopportune time or with a professor that was declared as “impossible,” “avoid at all costs” or, “wouldn’t recommend” on Rate My Professor. However, the real fear that set in after all was said and done was the aftermath of my feelings towards the decisions that I had just made. Once again, I had participated in an act that would ultimately lead to an unofficial advancement in my future, which in the long haul means that I was one step closer to becoming an adult… A scary thought in and of itself if you ask me.
However, I had a different sort of feeling when receiving his e-mail this time around. Of course I was still eager to text my friends, check out the holy grail of that which is Rate My Professor, and make sure that I completed all of the classes I need in order to graduate. This time was truly unlike the others because it would officially mark my last time scheduling classes throughout my undergraduate career. There have already been a lot of lasts that I’ve had to face so far: My last first day of school. My last Fall Break. My last Homecoming weekend. And there are still many more to come throughout the rest of the year. Yet, this particular moment of scheduling classes really opened my eyes to just how fast this last year is passing by and how important it is for me to be present and embrace each and every moment of it.
I think that it all boils down to the fact that scheduling classes is one of the key actions that we must accomplish as students, obviously. But it’s vital that we also embrace the unscheduled moments that college has to offer, like: random pizza runs, late night study groups, and binging Netflix series with friends. Sometimes the most random moments can hold the strongest memories.