For most people, Jan Plan is a one blissful month of relaxation and bliss. Most people only have a couple hours of class and the rest of the day to hang out, party, or fall asleep in front of the computer. When I chose my “Hell on Earth” Jan Plan, I didn’t realize how much work the class would be.
First off, let me say that the actual course “Hell on Earth: Chinese Writers on Modern Society” is a good one. Professor Besio is a very compelling and demonstrates enthusiasm for the subject, enthusiasm that can’t help but rub off on the class. I have taken a couple courses in Chinese history but was unaware of the booming literary culture during the late 1800s/early 1900s. I’m happy to have chosen this course and I am learning a lot from it.
However, after losing the second weekend in a row due to a paper, I can’t help but feel a little burn out. Most of my thoughts revolve solely on “finishing the readings” or “working on a paper”. We don’t have a paper due this weekend, but I can’t help but feel I should spend this weekend preparing for our final paper due Friday. As a student, I should expect to fully immerse myself in the world of academia. But while I realize how lucky and privileged I am to be here, I can’t help but feel a sense of tedium overtake my life.
The lesson here is to be careful when you pick a Jan Plan class. If you pick a Jan Plan that is going to be intense, please be prepared to devote the entire month to schoolwork. Because there is no essay due this weekend, I hope I’ll be able to enjoy a bit more of Jan Plan this week. And if not, there is always Spring Break.
