What a Way to Start My Last Semester!

I just can’t believe that my last semester of my undergraduate years has just been one inconvenience after another! The power outages were one thing, but the endless snowstorms and no Wi-Fi were a nightmare. New Jersey hasn’t seen this much snow in years. One snowfall is beautiful and magical. But with neverending black ice, dirt-filled snowbanks, below freezing temperatures, and having to park on the street because my gravel driveway is impossible to park on, I had myself wishing to get to Spring. I can’t wait for it all to be over. 

I hate bundling up and cleaning off cars in the morning. I hate having to wear snowboots. I hate wearing a bulky winter coat. I just can't wait for the weather to finally be warm enough to wear shorts and sit on the beach. This winter had me wishing I finally lived down South. I couldn’t believe they got hit with snow, too. It’s been a nightmare. It feels like we’re living in a deep haze, and Spring will be the light at the end of a dark and gloomy tunnel. 

Next was the power outages. I was in the Writing Collab with my brother, preparing for a tutoring session, when the power went out. Alex was making coffee when the Keurig just shut off. Short-term, the power outage was a way for me to keep reading “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathanial Hawthorn and Alex to read “Where the River Bends” by Elissa Matthews. We sat upstairs in the library, and, while everyone tried to figure out next steps, my brother and I just read (picture attached).

Long-term, though, it meant uncertainty with work and classes. With this power outage being a townwide issue, we had no clue when it was going to come back on. Short-term, I don’t mind power outages. We had plenty of light, and I knew it wouldn’t last all day. However, the biggest issue was the Wi-Fi.

Without Wi-Fi, none of the tutors could do their jobs. Students could work on assignments. Professors could access Moodle or Outlook. The campus relies on its technology. Two days without Wi-Fi meant nothing was happening. I heard students ran out of mobile data using their hotspots. I felt lucky I lived off campus, but I felt so bad for all the residents. 

I had plans of working on assignments all day, but had to wait until I got home that evening to finish homework. Even so, without access to Moodle or Outlook, I had to email my assignments to my professors. I just wondered how on-campus residents dealt with the issues. The second shorter power outage during the down Wi-Fi era was just another slap in the face from the universe. 

All in all, I’m glad it’s all over. At least, I hope it’s all over. March starts on Sunday. Spring Break is a few weeks. I want to go to Myrtle Beach. I just hope Mother Nature doesn’t unleash snow or some bomb-cyclone-hurricane-tornado-sharknado monstrosity (let’s not jinx it) and ruin any chance of redeeming itself before the warm weather. 

I’m just done with the snow, power issues, and everything else bad that was inflicted upon us during the last few weeks. I just want to finish the semester strong with applying and getting into grad school, final major articles, the literary magazine, the print issue of the newspaper, and my bridesmaid duties before celebrating my graduation with my trip to the Outer Banks. I can’t wait. When the New Year rolled around, I knew this would be my year. I just have to get through winter.