Vacation homework

When I was in high school, I recall that probably the most annoying thing in the world was when teachers had the idea that because vacation was right around the corner, and it was the end of the semester, that it was somehow all right to drop all the work we hadn't done during the year thus far into our laps in the last week. I know we've all had that feeling, the injustice of it all, the pain. Well, the big news for this week is that in college, it's the same old song, just with a different singer.

These last two weeks before Winter Break have been, and will be (it ain't over yet), probably two of the most grueling of my life, or at least it seems so this morning. First off, let me just say that I cannot abide the fact that my General Chemistry class has had TWO midterms. No, I do not mean a midterm and a final, and no, that is not to say we don't have a final come January. I mean I have TWO midterms and a final, and needless to say, this situation is less than satisfactory in my mind. In addition, I had, on the first day back from Thanksgiving break mind you, my General Chemistry Lab Practical exam. This in itself was not too bad, in fact it was even enjoyable, in a I'ma-science-nerd sort of way, but the problem was not so much this practical, but more so, the written exam I'll be taking Tuesday evening. Come on people, that's two Tuesdays in a row! And I still have a problem set due Friday!

All chemistry gripes aside, with the end of Thanksgiving break began the race to finish the research paper I had due for my writing seminar. That by itself would not be too bad, but add to that another large term/research paper from my freshman seminar, another intermediate project for my freshman seminar, and the preparations for my fourth and final writing seminar paper, and you've got yourself one stressed out Princetonian.

The straw that breaks my back is knowing that, no matter how much I might get done this week, and how hard I work to rid myself of these burdens, I will still have work over Winter Break. There is nothing more effective in breaking a young freshman's heart than knowing that those precious weeks we spend at home will be polluted with school work that we so desperately wish to leave behind. It's a sad and sordid tale, but unfortunately ladies and gentlemen, this is the life we have chosen.

By now you are thinking, why on earth am I sitting here reading this girl rant about her problems? I've got work too! I don't need to waste my time commiserating with some crazy freshman that I don't even know! I suppose you would be right, but by golly, we the students need to unite against this menace that is the last week. Only together we can face the heavy workload, the overly enthusiastic professors, and those late nights holed up in Firestone. It is up to us to support each other during this trying time, and to remember to take care of each other when all seems lost. On this note, I would like to request that someone volunteer to check up on me every 24 hours or so, water me periodically, and turn me towards the window, because there is no way that these eyes are seeing the sun this week!

Please forward all sympathy cards, cash donations, and kind words to my personal mailbox in envelopes addressed to the "Save Noelle's Sanity Fund." I assure you, it is a very noble cause.

Good luck to all my fellow classmates in this final push towards freedom, and I hope everyone has a great Winter Break! Noelle Muro is from East Haven, Conn. She can be reached at nmuro@princeton.edu.