A letter to people who wont stop complaining about their finals

Dear whiny students,

Before anything else, I’d like to remind you of the most fundamental points to understanding why I refuse to baby you and enable your selfishness any further.

Fact: We all have finals. Falsehood: Your finals are more important than mine.

It’s finals season. Whether that mean exams, papers or projects, or all of the above, a final is a final. Yet somehow there are people who find a way to put their finals into some extra special category.

Sorry to bring the bad news, but we’re all in the same boat. That means, there is absolutely no valid excuse you have to waste my time by forcing me to listen to how you have to do this thing called studying and spend the majority of your time in a library.

I’m stressed too. You know why? I’m on a time constraint. It’s all about time. If I had all the time in the world, I wouldn’t be worried about finishing my ten-page paper.

But, unfortunately, this is school. I’m a student, and I was given a warning three months ago, but won’t actually start until a week is left if I’m lucky.  

So, what this means is that time spent working means even more than time spent feasting for the time being. The priority order goes: study, food, everything else in life.

What makes you think that I would rather sit and listen to your problems, which are just an echo of my own thoughts than devour Wendy’s new sriracha chicken sandwich and a frosty — or five? I wouldn’t.   

Sure, there’s no shame in venting when you’re stressed. It’s normal and healthy. But at least remain considerate. Other people manage to do it.

First, consider your options.

You can always use Rutgers’ counseling service, CAPS. These people are hired to listen to you. If you’re that stressed, schedule an appointment.

Or, do what other people do and try venting to someone who just isn’t as busy or as stressed as you. Parents do the trick every time. I know my mom isn’t living a stress-free life, but she’s kind of required to listen to me as my parent — she signed up for it.

If not a parent, vent to a friend but limit how much you vent. The thing is, we understand why you’re stressed first hand. We’re feeling the same thing. You pouring your soul out to us just makes us more depressed and grouchy than we already were, to begin with.

Don’t be surprised when someone snaps back and tells you to GTFO. You just poked a sleep-deprived, starving lion. I don’t know what you expected.

The point is, ain’t nobody got time for you and your problems. Vent for a few minutes and be done. Maybe you wouldn’t be as stressed if you spent as much time studying as you did venting. Just an idea.

Sincerely,

A salty peer