It is that time of the year, yet again, for all those who are currently still slaves to the grind… the world of Academia, that is. I am currently passing through the throes of springtime, and although the weather gets better with each passing day, I find myself becoming more restless for a number of reasons.
1) There is no such thing as ‘Spring Break’ for us here at UBC, this time of the year, even though elementary and high schools students all around us are currently making the best of this weather. While we trudge to classes with our books and our bags, we can’t help but feel envious at these kids traipsing around in their parks and playgrounds. And even though we get a 4-month long summer break, which is a much more desirable option, its at times like these that the grass certainly seems greener everywhere else. And who isn’t susceptible to turning green with envy these days?
2) Speaking of green, spring time certainly can be a double edged sword. Everyone is generally appreciative of the rapidly improving weather and verdure, but none more so than pharmacists and apothecaries. Each blooming bud presents them with new opportunities to peddle their array of anti-allergens. Each year, we are bombarded by advertisements through all forms of media, with some or the other big brand touting its ‘new and improved’ formula. Amusingly enough, some hippies I know too have chosen this time to metamorphose into their inner yuppie selves – I have seen them make a killing overnight by marketing their ‘100% organic’ remedies and playing on people’s conscience and gullibility. It doesn’t matter if importing their ingredients from across the globe increases their ecological footprint, so long as they are ‘100% organic.’ After all, helping their pill-popping brethren turn over a leaf with natural, herbal products helps everyone feel better about themselves. Except perhaps the average (read as jaded) microbiology and immunology students, who will debate endlessly on this issue. But I’ll spare you that 🙂
3) With all major midterms, assignments, term papers and all other flotsam finally out of the way, one finally gets some time to breathe (pollen!) and unwind for a bit. Sadly, this ‘bit’, regardless of it being a week or two, or even four in my case, doesn’t feel seem to satisfy my need to recover fully from the delirium of times gone by. I guess my problem is that I get too used to a routine. First, the anxiety surrounding each successive wave of midterms and submissions becomes a norm. I feel considerably relieved after crossing each such obstacle, but I can’t help thinking about what I will do with all that ‘extra’ time, now that there is no need to study and revise regularly. Like any other normal person, I use that time to catch up on guilty pleasures that were previously forsaken. So now, self-indulgence too becomes a routine. And when this period of cerebral ceasefire between the end of midterms and impending exams approaches sundown, a sinking feeling begins to dawn on me – I should have been using this time to start preparing for the finals… but who wants to stay indoors and study, when the weather’s getting so much better! That, and/or I have utterly exhausted all opportunities of watching my favorite shows online during this new found free time.
Which brings me to my main point: Is it just me, or is it common for most people to be indulging their most obtuse distractions enthusiastically around this time of the year? In the wake of exams, I find myself overwhelmed – not with academic pressure, but with the sheer multitude of creative ideas – and every passing fancy seems more all the more appealing as the exams inch closer and closer. Never before have I wanted to read as many books, cook as many random things, go for long runs, discover more new music and last but not the least, record all my thoughts, since I am most likely to forget all these exciting prospects as soon as the exams pass over. It is almost like all the time in the world seems to fall short in trying to accomplish such instantaneous objectives, only because following such fantasies seems more fulfilling than poring over microbial physiology and gene transfers. Considering that I have gone through such phases every single time immediately prior to my examinations, I am, for once, taking the initiative to pen (or type, if you prefer) my thoughts here, before all that remains of this rambling is nothing but a distant memory of regret. And no, I won’t hold any regrets for ‘having studied instead’ – I will certainly regret not having ‘seized the day’ when I could have. So here is my excuse, or rather, inspiration for blogging … Carpe Diem!
Reorganized Ramblings 