X. September and I'm Shuffelin -
/It is September first.
On this day, each year since I was in the first grade, my state of being has always been equivalent to the third trimester of a pregnant female.
That is to say, the beginning of the month of September has always caused great hormonal/bodily conflict to my biology.
Like most people who enjoy the academic part of school, (to an extent), symptoms would start to surface: Mood swings would be reflected in conversation, suddenly one’s walk would be akin to a bird’s fleeting and fluttering gait, and one then feels the ever-proliferating pangs of hunger for school supplies at all times of the night -
It’s 12:30 AM and Staples is closed. I just need index cards so I can set up my new flashcard system. Yes- it’s perfect! As I write down the term, I’ll learn it, and it’ll be transportable too- But Staples is closed….I think I’ll roam the back-to-school section catering to the middle school crowd in the 24-hour CVS just to settle my mind - they have index cards…
Us students have an adrenaline rush, a spasmodic beating of the heart (though not so spasmodic that we collapse from cardiac arrest).
That is not to say that adrenaline rushes cannot be harmful. However, regardless of the context in which adrenaline is used, a majority of the cases suggest that if you’re in possession of a high amount of it, a beneficial outcome will inevitably result.
Example of a beneficial outcome: You know that story about the anorexic-looking mom who lifted a car with her finger to save her baby, don’t you?
Hyperbole is another symptom of September’s arrival.
My hyperbolic anecdote about the mom, the car, and the baby was the remnant of my recently treated September-student-generated-adrenaline-rush (SSGARSS) syndrome.
(** More on my method of treatment in the fourth section down.)
However, the SSGARSS is not as posh of an entity as it appears.
You’re traveling on a concave down-parabolic path. You’re on a high, and then, you crash. Your blood sugar levels spike and fall. You’re fatigued and continue to try and find reason for this self-hazardous state until you have met your threshold and carry out the mode of treatment, custom-fit for yourself that sets everything straight once more.
You gradually become balanced - you have found your zen.
** What’s my SSGARS mode of treatment?: I iron all the clothing that I own. Every blouse, shirt, pant, short, skirt, dress, will be ironed and folded to complete perfection. Every crease is made according to y = mx + b linearity - NO EXCEPTIONS. I then proceed to place said clothing according to piles into my suitcase while noting the possible outfits choices: combinations of clothing and shoes will be set for the first week of classes. Afterwards, I make my own dorm decor - remember that need to be unique?
My gait becomes more calm, my heartbeat more level, and my zen slowly arrives.
After the zen has slowly been acquired, and the college traveler has settled in his/her dorm/off-campus apt., (hey there - you’re still in college, get an apt. when you graduate), you’re now ready for class.
The handwriting is exquisitely uniform against the crisp new paper, your posture is straight, your head perched ever so slightly such that your chin protrudes to a height below arrogance but above apathy, and your eye-level is shifted between the upper-half of the professor’s body and the ceiling of the lecture hall.
You’re ready to learn.
Soon, your handwriting will be rushed, non-uniform, and frantic-looking. You will probably try to fend off the unconsciousness need to slouch - shoulders burdened by the midterms/papers that are approaching.
It’s all good though. All you have to do is flip back to September’s notes and remember your enthusiasm.
Don’t regret your current condition though - Do not wish to be that eager student again because it’s unrealistic.
Just know that you are motivated and that your slouch and your ugly notes are a testament to your knowledge.
Happy September homefries!