So today was our next to last official meeting, and I think both Harrison and I are realizing just how close we are to the end of the semester.
We met in our usual place, Union Grounds, and started talking. We were both pretty tired. These last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind.
Through stifled yawns, we asked each other about our weeks (Harrison really began and took charge in the conversation, I'm happy to say. He's shown so much improvement in his shyness this semester!). Our conversation slowly but surely turned to our sleep schedules.
There is one thing you should know about me: I love sleep. I always make sure to get enough hours of sleep and I nap to make sure I'm awake if I'm doing something that will be taking place at night. I watch videos about the benefits of sleep and constantly lecture my friends on their sleep patterns. So one can only imagine my horror when Harrison stated, "tiredness is my life."
I quickly responded with questions as to when he went to bed and how he spent his day. He responded with going to bed around 3 am, followed by a regimen of class, gaming, homework, and naps. He then went on to explain that he wasn't sure what to do with all of his free time.
He has so much free time because he's used to the Chinese academic schedule of school for half the day, then homework for the rest of that half. He's so used to not getting any sleep due to having so much schoolwork (even during holidays... gasp!), that the rest of his time is a question mark. Hence, the late hours up gaming and trying to fill in space previously filled with work.
I knew that Chinese students had a vigorous school schedule, but it's just so crazy to hear it from someone who has actually lived it. Now I know why he always laughs when I ask him if he's had a busy week... American college is nothing!
I'm not saying that we need to change our system to the rigorous Chinese one, but it really does make one look at the time that we do have. We have so much time to do something wonderful, why not do it? I'm so thankful for Harrison and his great perspective!
But really, the kid needs to get some sleep.
Sleep is such an interesting topic in college. Everyone wants it. Nobody gets it. I feel like so many phrases revolve around it. In all honesty, I wish I got more of it. For example, last night I got four hours of sleep. I like to operate by the phrase "I'll sleep when I'm dead," but in all honest, I am probably killing myself faster by not sleeping at all. Regardless, things must get done and sometimes sleep is just in the way of that. But we keep coming back to it, because honestly nothing feels better than crawling in your cozy bed after a long day of hard work.
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