Ask Agony Aunt

AUNTIE MYRTLE
Volume 2, Issue 1 (Originally Published 23 July 2012)

Dear Agony Aunts
I’ve been so excited about starting uni, and have signed up for every activity I can find, but after only two weeks, I am already falling behind with readings. How do I keep up?

In Need of Sleep

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Dear In Need of Sleep,

Aunt Myrtle has seen her fair share of enthusiastic young whipper-snappers in her time. Used properly, enthusiasm can help 

you make the most of your time at uni, and gain fantastic experiences and opportunities. Sadly, the flip side is that you could take on too much and burn out, inevitably leading to you dropping out, getting a job at Wendy’s, and serving their delicious milkshakes until your bunions and bitterness force you into an early retirement.

Being the grand old dame of research that she is, Aunt Myrtle has discovered that ‘enthusiasm’ comes from the Greek word ‘entheos’, meaning ‘possessed by a God’. This being the case, use your divine motivation, and try a few of the activities on offer. Let go of the ones that are less interesting to you, so that you can enjoy the little things like sleep and a social life. This will also help you dedicate your enthusiasm to the ones you do take on.

If in doubt, just look at The Shining for further reinforcement, and see what happens to Johnny when he takes on too much. All work and no play makes Jack a dull, and clinically insane, boy.

All the best, Auntie Myrtle