Rising sophomore

A rising sophomore in my house passed away this past summer.

As I read an email about a memorial service for her, I realized that she will be forever enshrined as a rising sophomore. Rising, but never reaching.

Are we any different?

Emo music

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks."
 
I suspect that the widespread hatred for "emo" music is merely a compensatory mechanism for people that are embarrassed about their own past.

Secondary concentration

Things they don't tell you at orientation:
#31. Everyone graduates with an honorary degree in acting.

Euphemisms

*I'm somewhat disgusted that until sophomore year, I believed in the "Friend Zone." And no, I'm not saying that just because I "got out" of the friend zone; I'm saying this because I think it's what any good human being should believe.



Dear College-Aged Males,

Hello.

Over the past two years, I have both accidentally and willingly soaked up your numerous cries of woe regarding the so-called "Friend Zone." These conversations are generally colored with a tone of embitterment and self-pity, in addition to copious volumes of disparaging remarks directed towards college-aged females. Such discussions generally build around the same thesis statement -- namely, "She's such a bitch. I can't believe I got friendzoned."

I find these conversations quite stupid.

Yes, you had a four hour long conversation with her that one night in September. You also did your organic chemistry problem sets together and you helped her move some boxes into storage. She smiled at you a grand total of 14 times and has made physical contact with you half as many times.

"Oh," but you exclaim, "she always smiles and giggles when we say hi. And when she hugs me, she leans in and never pats my back. One night when we were eating in the dining hall, she also said she was thankful for having met me."

Yes, those are signs of a decent friendship.

"Seriously. She can't just go lead me on like that! She's such a bitch."

No, that's just called being a goddamn human being. You can be nice to people without any real reason -- you should try it sometime.

"But why doesn't she like me back? I didn't do anything wrong."

Well, other than the off chance that, oh I don't know, maybe she just doesn't like you? Hmm...no, I can't think of a single reason.

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The Friend Zone is just a silly euphemism for someone not liking you back. For your sake, please man up and learn to deal with the fact that no one is obligated to like you.

Keeping secrets

"You won't tell anyone this, will you?"
"Nah. You know I don't talk that much anyway."
"Right. Okay, so then..."

Today it occurred to me that I'm only good at keeping secrets because, by definition, they never involve me.

From one acquaintance to another

"This is why we're friends."


Dear Acquaintance,

I think that saying such a thing is more of an insult than a compliment.
But you know, that's just like, my opinion.

A Concerned Acquaintance,
Ryan

Midterm report/rant on MCATing

After a not-so-fantastic performance on the PS section of a Kaplan full length this morning, I just about flipped the table over. My studious side's instinct was to maniacally go over every wrong answer, but then for some reason, I couldn't do it. Fuck it. I'm not doing the rest of this test.

It's actually quite scary how it took until this morning for me to recognize that I haven't been myself; I've been eating one meal a day (maybe two), sleeping less than 6 hours, and willingly throwing myself into isolation. I'm losing my drive in the lab and I haven't been going on walks at all.

So thanks Kaplan for triggering a burnout breakdown. I've found my wind.

Also this morning.

This morning.

 

Come at me, MCAT.