I don’t have time to write this column. And that’s a problem.

I suppose some might say it’s because I waited until the last minute to do it, but that’s beside the point; I never have time to do much of anything.

Like many other students, over Thanksgiving break I considered doing homework and other miscellaneous paperwork. I even went as far as opening my backpack and doing a few of the smaller tasks. But the promise of the much-needed reward of spending time with family and doing absolutely nothing was far more appealing than doing hours of research on my week off.

So now I am suffering the consequences of a break where I actually took a break.

But even before Thanksgiving I was overworked, overwhelmed and just plain over it.

I know how this must sound. Big surprise, here’s another self-absorbed whiney college student, complaining about doing some work, that I can’t possibly be that busy. But I think everyone is entitled to complain every once in a while and this is my once in a while.

Right now, I’m eating a meal of pistachios and a tangerine. Why? Because with the list of things I have to do right now I won’t have time to walk home, make a sandwich and walk back.

It’s human nature to want to do the least amount of work possible. This is why people procrastinate, but procrastination leads to lack of preparation, which leads to my current situation.

So here I sit, behind again, looking at the guaranteed promise of hours of homework into the wee small hours of the morning after a long night of work.

I suppose I could just say that’s the life of a college student; not being able to catch my breath during the school week.

Learning to multitask and do work in a high pressure environment is all part of the experience.

But what experience?

After four years of research papers, group projects and massive amounts of readings I am looking forward to graduating in May, but I’m honestly not expecting much to change.

All this rush is a part of everyday life.

People just don’t have time anymore. Technology and modern conveniences have made modern life a lot easier even compared to 50 years ago.

So shouldn’t we have more time to do the things we actually want to? Apparently not according to a USA Today survey that reported one of three American workers are overworked.

My point isn’t really slow down and smell the roses, it’s more like pull off the super highway and get out of the car for a break once in a while.

Maybe what we think is a lack of time is actually just a lack of caring.

Emily Steele is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-7942 or

at [email protected].