During this time of year and this time in my life, it seems like there just isn't enough time. There are so many things that I need to do that I barely leave enough time to do. This happens for many reasons. I am a notorious procrastinator. See, I'll even admit it! Do I do anything about it? Absolutely not. Because there are barely enough hours in the day to do the things I need to do, here is my opportunity to state out loud what I would do if I could find the time.
1. Reading
The pile of unread books in my bookshelves both at home and in my dorm room are overwhelming. Between Barnes & Noble impulse buys and books that my dad has lent me, I would have to be immortal to get through them all. Yes, I still read, but their always boring books for school or just the first couple chapters of something I chose for myself. Something always requires my attention elsewhere, so I just stick in a bookmark and let it collect dust. It is one of the sad realities of being a college student that you have to actually read the assigned books, (or at least the Spark Notes), very carefully in order to pass the class.
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2. Art
Ever since I was old enough to think about a future career for myself, I always imagined being an art teacher. Now, as an English and Psychology double-major, you can see that I'm not exactly headed in that direction. For years, I planned out which art school I would attend, how I would develop my skills in different mediums, and what I would put in a portfolio. As it turned out, I decided that art school was not for me. I still love art. I still love perusing museums for hours upon hours, spending ridiculous amounts of money on art supplies, and looking at pieces of trash and considering their artistic potential. I even found myself sobbing uncontrollably when I saw Monet's "The Water Lily Pond" with my own unworthy eyes in the National Museum in London. My art skills are slowly fading, but I would love to develop them once more if I had the time.
3. Playing music
In school, I have always been a part of the music program, (as described in my last article). At my college, however, there is no music department. There's a music club, (an interview write-up I did with this club's adviser can be found here), which I can only image is composed of high school music room residents like myself. I play my ukulele in my room as often as I can, but I feel like I never have time to develop my technical skill. This is one of the few aspects of high school that I actually miss; an allotted amount of time to work on just music.
4. Writing
Ironic, isn't it? How could an English major who writes for Odyssey not have enough time to write? What I mean by this is, I very rarely write things that I'm okay with no other person but me seeing. Everything I write ends up being submitted for a grade, or onto the internet where other people can share and comment on it. While I largely enjoy the latter and accept the former as a necessary evil of being a student, I regret the reality that I have too much on my plate most of the time to do things for myself without falling behind. Someday, I am going to interview musicians for Alternative Press. This means that I should probably get some practice, right? That isn't easy in rural Maine, so I guess I'll use that as my excuse.
5. Quality sleep
I know, I know, it seems pretty cliche. No way, a college student who complains about being tired all the time but willingly stays up to order pizza at 2:00 am? Silly millennials! No, no, and no. I don't miss being assigned a bed time, having to wake up at the crack of dawn to catch the bus, or being able to sleep in on weekends. Those are all things, minus the bus, that I still have to or try to do most every possible day. I miss the comfort of my own bed at home. I miss not sharing a room. I miss being able to fall asleep without the light under my dorm door blinding me or the yelling and squeaking of sneakers in the hallway Actual, uninterrupted sleep.
