Looking at my schedule a few days ago, I was shocked to realize that just three weeks remain in this semester. Of course, I have always known that the semester lasts about four months before the finals in December, but the pace of activities sometimes has the capability to erase such facts from my memory.
As I sat back taking in this news, my thoughts veered back to the start of the semester when everything was warm, fresh and, well, easy. As the semester progresses, we are struck by the onslaught of assignments, quizzes and midterm exams. The optimism of the early days vanishes into the air of resignation and repetition. Some of us who also work part-time tend to have it harder than the rest.
For seniors graduating this semester, these four months are more of an emotional roller coaster, rather than an amalgamation of classes and job interviews. For freshmen, their early foray into college life involves coming to terms with this newfound freedom and choosing their path for the days ahead.
And for the rest of us in-betweeners, it was just life as usual. Another semester, another round of nights spent practicing procrastination and extended caffeine-binging.
Looking back, this semester seems to have had certainly more than the stereotypes described above. From the beginning, every student noticed the multiple lacerations on campus due to huge Caterpillar machines. Construction has been a pain throughout these four months, and will most likely continue to be in the spring. Some would argue that this inconvenience will only bring greater amenities and facilities in the future, and though they are right, it does nothing to reduce the pain of the present.
Diversity was another major issue that attracted a lot of attention during the second half of this semester. With the state legislature planning to readdress gay marriage, the campus became a hot debating arena. Student Government chipped in with diversity-favoring T-shirts and the declaration opposing the state legislature. However, some narrow-minded person decided to bring his point across by defacing University property.
In fact, this singular incident was so instrumental in creating controversy on campus that its effects are still being observed nearly a month later. As recently as Wednesday of this week, the Technician carried articles discussing diversity issues.
A period of relative calm followed, and followed by the Fifth of November (notice the capitalization). The football team did not disappoint on the one day that every N.C. State fan looks forward to. Disregarding the less than stellar performance of the season, Tom O’Brien insured our fifth straight victory against UNC. Additionally, N.C. State fans witnessed the team’s first shutout after over four decades. UNC coach Everett Withers arguably gave the worst interview of his career when he derided the Pack for low graduation rates. Soon after these comments were made, UNC’s chancellor, Holden Thorp, apologized to Chancellor Woodson for this noxious outburst. We don’t know how the two chancellors discussed this in private, but the Pack’s reaction to the baby-blue cheaters was loud and clear: speak less, work more, and try again.
With a week left before Thanksgiving, everyone is busy studying for his or her last quizzes, or hurrying to finish that last assignment. After Thanksgiving comes Dead Week, which is notoriously never dead; I myself have three assignments due that week.
Overall, this semester has largely been fun, interesting and engaging. Let us keep the momentum going for a bit longer and hope the football team still has some surprises in store. It’s time we allowed ourselves to relax just a little bit, but keep in sight the finals that are inching closer.
