Socials and Sniffles

            “So,” you ask, “what’s going on this week?”

            A lot of things actually – admittedly, no more than usual, but a lot of things. I have a panel discussion on the Muslim Brotherhood to attend, a talk on Israeli literature to listen to, and a martial arts class for ROTC lab. The thing about Harvard is, that you’ll read in class about so-and-so, who got their PhD from such-a-place and has written world-class books about such-and-such a topic and is just amazing. And then you’ll discover that so-and-so himself happens to be coming to speak. It’s fantastic!

            Aside from an events list, though, how is life? Well, it’s flu season. Everybody is coughing and sneezing and getting headaches and stomach viruses and fevers. My throat is a little scratchy and my head’s a little sore, but that could be because I didn’t get much sleep last night. Or it could be the other way around. Only time will tell. At the moment I’m just drinking a lot of water and hoping for the best.

            Last week, though, I did manage to work both sleep and exercise into my schedule. It wasn’t until after I slept and suddenly had my life back that someone bothered to mention that sleep deprivation lowers your performance levels more than intoxication does. I finally made it to the gym and started doing some exercises in my room, as well. And started eating healthier. I’ve been doing this for two days – we’ll see how long it lasts.

            My first midterm was last Wednesday, in Calculus III. Like I said, my class time hadn’t been that productive, but I managed to wake up before the midterm and at least get an 86. Which isn’t what I wanted, but was much better than I expected, and is salvageable if I can manage to sleep the rest of the semester (I hope).

 

            After the midterm I found a few of my friends from HCFA (Harvard College Faith and Action) standing around talking – the usual questions and commiserations. And afterwards we went and prayed on the steps of Widener Library. It was the first time I’d just spontaneously hung out with people, without planning on doing Bible study or homework or a cappella practice. It was nice.

            HCFA itself is neat; they have a church-service-like gathering every Friday and afterwards there’s a social. But I’m still too jealous of my study time to have committed much, so I don’t know as many people as I’d like. I tell myself that after midterms I’ll have time, but if I follow that line of reasoning I’m liable to ‘after’ my way up until graduation. I also have friends in the other Christian groups, and there’s a lot of intermixing. They’re all really awesome.

            I also want to get more involved in church. I’m thinking about going to one of their Community Groups, but I’m also waiting on that. I have (finally) met a few people there who I didn’t already know from HCFA or Cru, though, which is good, since it’s one of the reasons I go.

            I would like to get more involved in certain things, but I’m very cautious about it. First of all, I’ve heard too many stories of people overloading and burning out their first semester, and I really don’t want to do that. Second, I tend to shy away from excesses, so when everyone starts bombarding me with all the opportunities available here, I feel a strong desire to turn and bolt the other way.

            I think I’m starting to get a handle on things here, though. I have a ton to do, but at the moment a lot of it is long-term projects or test study, so they don’t feel as overwhelming. And I’d rather be slow at getting into things than have to drop three or four of them after my grades take the hit. I don’t get much of any free time as it is. Hopefully, with some sleep and some exercise and lots of fluids, I’ll make it through the semester okay. Week six of sixteen, here we come!