Well, well, well. Here we are again with another column entry this semester about ‘tough times.’
Last year, I held myself to one ‘tough times’ article per semester. However, this semester has forced my hand to write two (the other one was amazing, and you should definitely read it :)).
For all of us hoping that November would have a strong start and lift us up from an arduous and tiring midterm season, that didn’t happen. After barely making it through a harrowing October and two “Halloweekends,” I had hoped this month would give me a firm handshake and let me rest. I was sorely mistaken. As I write this, I solemnly sit in the Tisch basement wondering whether or not it is dark outside yet (it is 4:30 p.m.) and wonder: When does midterm season ever end?
This fatiguing life as a 6-foot-2-inch, biracial economics and computer science major living in a Latin Way suite with nine of my best friends is making me reflect on this reality. I don’t remember the last time I did not have an upcoming exam to worry about. I don’t remember the last time I went to bed not wondering if I was prepared for an oncoming onslaught. I don’t remember the last time I saw the sun — I can only imagine how devastating these early sunsets are for those folks who spend all day frolicking on Prez Lawn.
Times like these, surrounded by stinky students in Tisch, require me to bring back my patented list, highlighting just some of the questions that I have had recently. I am so screwed for this midterm tomorrow and just need to brain dump.
Why did Sunil Kumar get a new fence? Is he scared I’m going to steal his new Hellcat? I was, until that darn 4-foot fence got installed.
How do I become a Tisch security guard? They always look so content sitting at their little table.
What is the difference between the income and substitution effects of the Hicks and Slutsky methods? In the same vein, how do those impact a consumer’s compensated demand function?
Is time real in the Tisch basement? Spending 10 minutes is the same as spending four hours there.
Do weird people know they are weird?
What is the purpose of life? Is there an afterlife? If God exists, does he stay in heaven because he too lives in fear of what he's created?
What takes the Sink so long to make a drink?
Anyway, if you couldn’t tell, I am on my last leg. My work keeps piling up, exam grades are beating the crap out of me and my friends keep sending me brain rot reels that will undoubtedly turn into a tumor in a few years. This current objective of surviving is going to be tough; we just have to make it to Friday.
Well, I should probably let y’all go. I know that you have better things to do than read this article. I for sure have better things to do (my EC11 Canvas page is calling my name). Hang in there everyone — we’ve got this.
Surviving,
Ben Rachel
