Back to reality

Hello! And greetings from the lovely Schaffer Library, as always! I am back from our team travels in western New York State and back to the stress that is the end of winter term!

But do not fear, the end is near! Today, the Union campus awoke to RAIN...as in not snow!! Spring is coming! Or that is at least what I will continue to tell myself over the next few weeks as the term wraps up.

So, just a quick blurb about the swim team: Both the Dutchmen and Dutchwomen came in third at the UNYSCSA Championships! Woohoo!! It was a very exciting meet and a great end to the season. In many ways, it was quite bittersweet as with the conclusion of the State meet came the last swims of our senior class. It brought tears to my eyes to watch them hang up their suits and say goodbye to the sport of competitive swimming. But all the same, the Class of 2011 went out with a bang. I know that we will surely miss them next year, but their impact will be felt for years to come.

Another good note: We had four people on the team achieve an individual NCAA B cut by the end of the meet. Plus, three relays, too! Congratulations to Priscilla Wright '12, Kaleigh Ahern '13, Zack Wahl '13, and Adam Herzog '14 on their impressive finishes! It looks like the womens 200 yard freestyle team of Priscilla, myself, Danielle Young '14, and Kaleigh will be competing at the NCAA Division III Championships at the end of March. We find out for sure tomorrow, but it's looking good. Very exciting!

I do have to admit, it's a bit overwhelming to come back from being away from school for a week and have to jump back into classes. We're all exhausted from the long and fast-paced nature of States, coupled with the fact that most of us had a large stack of homework to catch up on. And it's the end of winter term, probably one of the hardest points of the school year.

But when the stress seems to become unbearable, I have to remind myself of a few things:

1. Take a deep breath and just don't worry. Sometimes, it's so easy to have the long to-do list cluttering your thoughts and worrying you sick. Writing it down, making a checklist or goal sheet for your work can most certainly help alleviate the stress. Just seeing your ideas put down on paper can be a very helpful way to overcome the uneasiness associated with a busy end of the term.

2. The work will get done either way. Despite how stressful it might appear at the moment, we all will get through it in the end and everything will turn out fine.

3. It's okay to take a break. In fact, as one of my good friends pointed out, it's more efficient to work for 45 minutes and then take a 15 minute break, rather than working yourself thin for 3 hours straight. Words of a sage!

4. This is college. We're here to learn, to make mistakes, meet new people, try new things, not to feel like a looming assignment is something that will "make or break" us. We just have to help each other hang in there!

5. IT'S ALMOST SPRING!

So, that's about it from me. I'm hanging in there, all of us are, and making the most of the last few weeks of winter. It always amazing me how fast this term goes by and how exciting it is when all of the work is done and we just have the chance to relax a bit before the start of spring. I cannot wait for that day to come!

But until then, I may be stuck in the library watching a film or two for class, may be researching and reading and writing until my eyes go dry, but at least I have something to show for it! Because currently, I am watching a German film and actually understanding all (or the vast majority) of what is being said...Without English subtitles! After this term, I will be done with the German side of my interdepartmental major. It's kind of interesting to think that I have learned enough of a language in three years to be able to understand a foreign movie. Wow!

Well, I must get back to my work, but I hope that everyone else is surviving the end of the term and not stressing out too much. One great thing about Union is that we're all here for each other, so it is always so wonderful to have a group of friends, professors, coaches, and other faculty and staff that care about our well-being. I wholeheartedly appreciate the help and support--I would be in much worse shape without it, that's for sure!

Anyway, hang in there, Union students! The end is near! And to everyone else: have a good night!

Note: Above is a picture of Grant Hall, the lovely admissions building lit up at night. I thought I'd share the neat photo!