Diving into a New Semester

I love starting back class - campus is thriving, students are filling the hallways, the line at the coffee stand is minimum 15 people deep, the lawn has been taken over by circles of friends, strewn about backbacks, and books and there is a general buzz of excitement in the air.

The thing is though, the timing is all wrong, and something feels a bit off for me. It is the middle of April, and I am just now shopping around to find the classes I want. I receive syllabus after syllabus, outlining the semester course, and I am confronted with new faces and professors. But it is the middle of April. Normally I would be wrapping up another year in school or at Georgia Tech around this time, studying for finals, frantically finishing term papers, and interviewing for a summer job. It feels so strange to be starting this semester back now, with the weather so warm and beautiful outside - I can't believe I will be in class until the middle of July!

I was itching to get back into a routine with the university, after having 2 months off from February til April, but now I am realizing just how busy my last three months here will be. I have german classes, university classes, Fulbright research, a few more trips lined up, swimming twice a week, spending time with friends, entertaining guests, and squeezing in all the things I want to see/do in Berlin before I leave.

I will just have to evaluate what I can handle after next week and try not to take too much on - though I thrive in the pressure to meet dealines, getting everything done, and fitting in as much as possible. So this semester should be a lot of fun mixed in with the hard work - and I can't wait to dive in!