Going through the motions?

Here it is, the last week of the semester, the one that can make or break a final grade. After four months of crazy schedules, stressful deadlines and many sleepless nights, a question keeps running through my mind. What did I learn again…?

In retrospect, I should have a pretty good idea considering I’ve spent nearly every waking hour for the past 16 weeks taking five classes, working three jobs, volunteering, participating in various student activities and selling my soul to The Chronicle. That last sentence pretty much means that my brain needs a vacation. As I reflect on this past semester, as well as the fall 2011 semester, I feel like I have just gone through the motions of going to school, going to work and going home, only to do it all again the next day.

No matter what grade I received, I know I have gotten my monies worth. Yes, we should strive to achieve A’s and B’s, but that is not always possible, no matter what anyone may argue. What really matters are the skills you take away. I can honestly say I’ve learned more real-world experience from a student organization or a group project than I have in any classroom setting. Sure, some class lectures can spark your interest or grab your attention like an action movie, but mostly it seems like the majority in the room spend their tuition dollars spacing out for an hour, getting homework and attendance points and walking away with little to nothing.

A friend once told me that at the end of the day you have to walk away from your work knowing that you have done your best and leave it at that, and that is so true. This semester I will walk away knowing that I did my best, put in crazy hours and learn how to survive another semester of college. While I still a have few of them left, I will proceed knowing a little bit more about life in general. People may tell you not to overwork yourself or to take plenty of breaks, but in the real world sometimes that just isn’t possible. It is very easy to get wrapped up in work and life in general and sometimes you just have to suck it up and get through it. I will end this semester on a high note, knowing I gave it my all, ready to take on the next challenge life throws at me.