The sorrows of a summer semester

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By Chandler Walter, Editor-in-Chief

 

One of the most important things any writer should learn can be boiled down to three simple words: Know Your Audience.

As I sit here on Production Night, reaching into the darkest corners of my mind trying to think of just what to write this damn Lettitor about, it occurred to me that this little article will be in an issue that will only be on the stands at Douglas College for the month of July.

So, yeah, I think anyone holding this paper in their hands knows a little something about taking a summer semester, because you’re in a college right now, and it’s, y’know, summer.

I once spent a summer semester at Douglas College, wandering through these empty halls (if you happen to be at the New West campus, that is), because I was trying to knock out that dastardly English 1130 without it weighing me down in a fully loaded fall or winter semester.

Needless to say, it wasn’t the most enjoyable experience.

The worst part wasn’t the fact that I had school work to do alongside the classic summer sprint of working multiple jobs just to save up enough money to last through the usual school year, though it did make scheduling a little tricky. The worst part was simply being in the classroom itself, feeling the sun through the open window, and knowing that friends are out there at the beach, at the park, at literally anywhere outside enjoying the sunny day.

I think that summer semesters are especially excruciating here in the Lower Mainland, because beautiful, sunny days are such a rarity. Sure, you can call in sick to work (and hope they believe you) so that you can skip out to the beach, but missing a day of class in an expedited summer course means that you are left in the dust, confused, and so terribly alone.

I don’t have any advice to offer you, other than to simply stick it out and know that taking these courses is bringing you ever closer to being done with post-secondary, once and for all.

I’m not even sure of how long of a break there is between summer semester and fall, but whatever it is, you brave, brave souls, please make the most of it while you can!