Countdown time again. 10, 9, 8, 7…

Can you believe that there is only one week of classes left, with final exams looming, then the semester is over? Where did the time go? It seems as though it was just August yesterday.

If you’re like me, you’re undergoing a somewhat turbo-charged version of the kind of healthy reflection Loyola instills, except in a microwave package at times like this. Inhale. Did I accomplish everything I set out to do, back when these past four months were clean pages in my planner? Did I carve out a moment to share a warm conversation with that one friend who I promised to catch up with? Maybe not, but not to worry—yet. Two weeks remain in which to complete every line item that is still pending on my list of “things to do.” Yet, there are plenty of activities that I did get the chance to enjoy. Exhale.

Going back to the last week of August. I started off the semester doing well by doing good, by volunteering to help move in hundreds, of the thousands, of students living on campus. Fifteen hours well spent provided a memorable opportunity to greet and meet new first-year students. Although talking to them made me feel “old,” I thoroughly enjoyed reminiscing about how I felt as I first moved in, only a year before, with my life in tow.

In September, I started a new job—working on Michigan Avenue. Without a doubt, juggling classes and work has been strenuous and sometimes overwhelming, but, recognizing that part-time work experience if often limited to undergraduate days, I would not have wished it any differently. Having become friends with many of my co-workers, it would have been a shame to miss out on this facet of my college experience, like having a cup of dark hot cocoa without whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Several weeks ago, I attended my sorority’s semi-formal, which was held at the Library, inside the Chicago Board of Trade building. My “date” was a friend from work who attends DePaul and is in Phi Mu, the sister sorority of Alpha Delta Pi. I know I will one day look back on these special events with nostalgia, wishing there had been more of them. It’s so hard to squeeze in more fun things and not cause chaos with time management or wreak havoc on your GPA, but it’s important to try and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Next week is the Department of Programming’s Colossus Reveal Party, where the lineup for a stand-up comedian and performance by a well-known musical artist will be revealed. Last year’s surprise entertainers were Jason Derulo and Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias. Rumors have it that this year’s musician is “even more famous than Nick Jonas.”