Opinion

Don't let study make you crazy

Richard Lutz
Opinion Column

Itis that time of year again. The sun shines, a light breeze blows and furry critters scamper through the foliage. Students across the country scamper through darkened tunnels and hallways like rodents in frantic attempts to finish their coursework before the semester ends and leaves them stranded like driftwood on the shores of summer. Electrical engineers struggle to design the Antenna of God (or at least one that can pick up FM radio). English majors mix their metaphors with ferocious disregard for the safety of passersby.

I spent this weekend writing a 10-page research paper for Japanese class. I also read part of a novel for German, cleaned my room, filed my taxes, walked across campus and back twice in search of ice cream that wasnit banana-nut flavor and checked my e-mail at 30-minute intervals. Itis true -- the best way to get something done is to have a bigger project due Monday.

Despite the sleep deprivation that resulted from this full schedule, Iim glad I took time out to walk around. The primary benefit was that I was able to escape from the band of squirrels sitting on my windowsill, mercilessly mocking my efforts through the glass. But also, regular exposure to sunlight allows human skin to generate vitamin D and vitamin Skin Cancer, which keeps the Earth free of those annoying well-tanned people. I was also able to enjoy the weather, which is on the verge of becoming too hot for comfort. I may have even worked off a couple of the calories from that ice cream.

What Iim trying to say here is, donit let the squirrels get to you. The great student traditions of apathy and procrastination prevent me from suggesting you start work on your projects as soon as possible to avoid a crunch later. After all, what would college life be like without all-nighters and hallucinations of green munchkin-leper squirrels?

Instead, I beg you to take time out. Go for a walk or a jog or a game of pinochle in the middle of your 17-hour study session. Even if you donit have a minute to spare, taking a nice slow walk with a book can help keep the blood moving without hindering your studies. Watch out for new buildings on campus, though. Bumping into one can disrupt your train of thought.

Exercise has many benefits. It boosts the immune system and energy levels, and time away from work allows your mind to better approach tricky problems such as which font you should use to maximize your page count.

Time spent in the company of human beings has been shown to prevent insanity, so if you find yourself using your computer to kill an endless army of worms, it might be time to take a break and get away for a while.

Just donit let the squirrels get on the computer while youire away. They delete files for fun. Always save that document so you donit have to write 20 pages when only 10 are needed.

Lutz, a senior English and German major, can be reached at drahcir_j@hotmail.com.