Dr. Suess’ How College Stole Christmas
Well today is December 2 and it is officially acceptable to make my Christmas excitement public. So here goes nothing…
As I grow older Christmas time seems to go by faster and faster, and each year it is a little less exciting. Has anyone else experienced this? As a child I would countdown the days until break. I would be so eager for the overly happy atmosphere, the joyful sound of Christmas songs, writing letters to Santa, baking cookies with friends and family, the jolly attitude of peers, the cutting and decorating of the ever so symbolic Christmas tree, and just simply anxiously waiting each day for the big day to finally come. I imagine my excitement was similar to Buddy the Elf, for Christmas was my favorite time of year.
Christmas eve was spent at my hometown church, with the annual candlelight service. We ended the service with my favorite hymn, silent night, and my parents would reiterate the story and religious meaning behind Christmas. To prepare for Christmas day I would pre purchase small gifts for my parents through my schools secret Santa store with help from elementary teachers. Even if it was a cheap mug that sad #1 dad, (that almost every child picked out), the joy and glory on their faces opening the gifts was probably the most satisfying. They would appreciate and get excited over the smallest simplest things to make me feel special. Christmas was a time I looked forward to because of traditions, but most importantly family. It was the one day my whole extended family would separate their busy lives and schedule and dedicate an entire day to bonding, and sharing quality time. We all gather at my grandparents house to eat, open presents, and catch up on everything new.
These were all traditions and customs that filled the month of December, and somewhere along they got left behind and lost. This is the story of how college stole Christmas.
Again, here it is December 2nd and I have very little excitement for Christmas. The ABC’s 25 Days of Christmas sound more like the ABC’s 5 Days of Christmas, because watching a movie, for fun, just does not fit into my college schedule. Finals, paper deadlines, last minute quizzes, preparing for next semester, consistently checking emails, attending meetings, and for some working a part time job. These are things that come before any thought of Christmas. I laugh when people ask me if I have time to watch my favorite movie the Grinch, or the Polar Express, because I simply have other obligations. College comes first. It’s your grade on the line; you must simply choose schoolwork or fun. Thanksgiving break has come and gone, and a vaguely remember much free time. Besides spending a few hours eating and celebrating, I was studying, worrying about school, or preoccupied with what work I had left to get done. Some professor’s even assign more work in order to keep you focused and on top of their class over vacation. The minute my mind slipped away to pleasure, fun, and things I used to enjoy, I immediately reminded myself I have stressful times to come, and plenty of schoolwork that I should be getting ahead on in order to succeed. There was no real “break” but only time allotted to do more work. I’m not necessarily complaining, because I am getting an education, and in the end it will all be worth it. But it is sad to realize that Christmas comes and goes without any time to prepare, or participate in the activities and festive celebrations leading up to it.
I am frustrated, like many I assume, with the pressure on college students. Talking to my peers we all have similar struggles: finding the time for all of the work handed out, and how to study different subject matters for cumulative tests all in the same week. We are all stressed, beaten down, and generally unhappy. The last thing on our mind is Christmas or holiday cheer, but instead worry, stress, and anxiety for upcoming exams and essays. Our attitudes have changed from the eager Buddy the Elf, to Scrooge.
Okay, I admit it! Partially I am writing this blog to satisfy my Christmas anticipation, and somehow incorporate it into my schoolwork. This blog may be my only chance to really express my excitement for the upcoming holiday’s and break. To make a final note, I don’t blame colleges. They are mean’t to challenge students and prepare us the best for our future. But how can we be best prepared if we are negative, worn out, and over booked. I don’t want to see the amount of work spiral out of control and drive students mad. It’s impossible to be sane if someone isn’t given a little bit of time to themselves. So over the holiday’s just consider your students excitement and commitments to traditions, and maybe give them the gift of less stress by recognizing too much work can be overbearing.