The Ups, Downs, and Back Arounds

Graphics by Anika Dua

  As much as I hate to admit it, my life is run by semesters.  As an obvious effect of the schooling system, the fall, spring, and summer take over as the dominant seasons. This semester has been filled with ups, downs, lefts, and rights. It being my first semester of college, I expected change, but not as much as I endured.

The first negative I experienced is the dining hall; don’t get me wrong it had some occasional ups (shoutout to the absolute FEAST on December sixth) but overall, I found myself getting quite tired of the options. Also, I would like to point out that they haven’t had smoked salmon in a while and I’m starting to get worried. Where did it go? Will it be back? Did I even have smoked salmon in the first place? Was it just a figment of my imagination?

One of the best positives I experienced must be a Peoples Place study session; I have never felt more productive in my life. Walking from class I got a small coffee and a bagel with peanut butter aka the best thing ever. Then I sat in Hendrick’s Chapel’s Noble Room for a while and finished a lot of work. I like this area because it gives an older, Carnegie-like feel while still being approachable and not completely silent.

Another positive has to be syllabus week, the true definition of the calm before the storm. I don’t know about you all, While I had a lot of work that week and didn’t feel like I could enjoy it quite as much as many of the sunbathers and frat-goers, there’s a reason it’s a campus classic.

Now it’s time for some back arounds: the things that have occurred again and again this semester.  For example, I felt like midterm season never ended and I always had an exam or paper to work on. Additionally, I felt like I always wore the same outfits, that just kept cycling through my closet. Syracuse really put me in a “eat or be eaten” mindset because of how well everyone dresses, and I never felt like I could compete.

All in all, I felt this semester really provided me with lots of highs. Hopefully break can provide some relaxation before our next stock exchange-like venture of ups and downs.