But what does it really mean? It really means that every man, woman, and child who steps foot onto a college campus feels the prerogative to complain about the amount of work they have to do. And no one will understand what they're going through.
Approximately every student's reaction to their to-do list
I must admit, I have participated in this competition to see who has the most work to do. (I would also like to point out that I have been winning. This means that when I tell people all of my assignments due, they shut up about their workload.) I have even called friends at other schools to vent to them about my 5 papers, 3 exams, and 2 projects all due before the salvation that is Thanksgiving.
We have heard our entire lives that we shouldn't complain, that there are people far worse off. I agree with the latter. When I complain, I'm not proposing that my life is the worst possible situation on the face of this earth. However, I think it is healthy to complain, at least for a little.
Humans have a natural desire to connect with others and share experiences. Unfortunately, the majority of our experiences during these three weeks of our lives revolves around the library. So isn't it only natural to share that with others? It takes a little bit of the load off when someone else knows what you are going through and can relate.
Complaining allows us to let off some steam, rant about our professors (or our procrastination habits), and then move past the anger/frustration and get to work. If we kept all of that inside, we would simply spontaneously combust.*
So, yes, I have learned many things this semester. I have learned about Aristotle's views on humor, acute glomerulonephritis, analytical essays in Spanish, the symbolism of an egg in the Japanese film Tampopo, and how to assess the environment of a learner. Your tuition dollars are well-spent, Mom. But I have also learned that it's okay to complain. It's alright to let a little frustration and panic out to your friends (or random people if your friends are tired of hearing it).
In the end, you will get everything done. You will make it to Thanksgiving. And you will get to come back and take all your finals.
You deserve a little pity, college student, so go out there and get it.
*This is just a theory of spontaneous human combustion that has yet to be scientifically proven.
All I have to say is SO TRUE! I feel bad complaining about all the work that must get done before break when my life really isn't that bad. I guess, like you said, it's a necessary evil. Sometimes it makes the the pain a little more bearable knowing that every other student around you has a heap of papers and tests and projects as well. For me at least, telling my friends about the work that I have to complete gives me some motivation. I know that sooner or later one of them will ask how that paper is coming along. It forces me to get something done in order to avoid their menacing looks of disappointment. Well, maybe it's not that dramatic. Hopefully, all the complaining will all be worth it when Thanksgiving break comes around!
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