Lit Break #2: Bibliophile Heaven

It's usually at this point in the semester...with only a month left of classes...that I begin feeling pretty stressed because, as always, I've somehow managed to meander away from set assignments and deadlines. I always make the mistake of getting caught up in what I'm studying while forgetting to pay attention to the limitations and restriction inherent in an academic schedule.

Following a line of inquiry or a train of thought to its completion feels very natural to me. That's how I learn, but sadly that's not how college is set up. We study in chunks and excerpts, according to a predetermined guideline. We memorize facts and study generalities we have no frameworks for understanding, then move on to write papers and take tests.

I always forget to move on. I get caught in the details and the complexities. The last month of class is generally the time I find myself turning the last page of the collected works of some forgotten poet, then realizing that I am late turning in that paper on medieval lais. I don't learn slowly; I just need to learn completely and in context. By the time I feel that I finally have enough information to competently comment, the deadlines for tests and papers have generally passed.

So April is a flurry of catching up and activity for me. It's always horribly busy and overwhelming. This is the reward I always keep in mind for completion. I took it one day when I had absolutely nothing to do but read books, drink tea and listen to music. Even though this is from the winter festivities of a few years ago, having freedom to read and learn outside of guidelines always feels like Christmas.