How I Learn to Love the Term
Back to school, but you're groaning. You didn't want the summer to end, but Labor Day signals the final days of the season.
You can't wait to meet your friends. One year ago, you don't know each other. There's a slight trepidation, wondering if you can handle the coursework. Studying Literature is not a walk in the park, which you find out the hard way. But there's strength in numbers. Course-mates become your support system. You learn the fine art of procrastination. There's no need to read a novel in its entirety to know what it's all about. But you can't wait for the term to end. A fleeting feeling.
Maybe a change of attitude will help you on your second year.
Modern English doesn't have a word for someone who loves studying, the equivalent to a workaholic. Study-holic? It sounds awkward. Nerd? Not all devoted students look like geeks. Let's say they're good. If you want your second year in the university to be different, then make an effort to change. It won't be easy, but you'll be delighted and proud of yourself in the end. Let's hear it:
Devote lots of time on writing. An essay on "Lord Jim", or any book in the reading list for that matter, won't be one page long. If you manage to keep it that short, then pat yourself on the back. Conciseness is an indicator of good writing, but depth is another thing. It takes lots of scribbling. The choice of words tells how clearly we express our thoughts. There should be no rush. Proofreading also demands a lot of time. Don't panic. It's a requirement, but try to be enthusiastic.
Loaf if you must. As James Norman Hall put it, loafing is the most productive part of a writer's life. You need a perspective to make your piece of writing unique and special, but there are instances when it won't cross your mind right away. Unless you're a sharp mind, let your attention drift somewhere. Meandering the Internet is good, as you'll never know what information you'll find that can be helpful.
Read and browse (and read and browse). Reading on a limited time is not fun. In some cases, you can't figure out the author's point of view. Knowing the themes isn't really difficult to find out, but how it relate to the writer's background can be tricky. If you can manage to read a book in its entirety, then great. But learn to read and browse, and then read again and browse ... you get the picture.
Strive to be better. A poorly written work gives you a low mark. It's incompetence on your part. Keep in mind that writers are work in progress.
Do manual tasks. You deserve a break now and then, as there are moments when writing is tiresome. Go out for a walk. Clean your room. Never mind the heckles from your house-mates who didn't study literature. They'll never understand.
This is a start. There is more. Share your thoughts.
