h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

... I've figured it out. Why I've had a few problems coping with the change of going to uni.

As long as I can remember I've never had time. I've been here, there, everywhere. And, occasionally, I had to go to school too. Don't get me wrong, I loved it. Really, truly, I did. Okay, it took it out of me, but I always managed to get everything done, I managed to play whatever was required of me and pass a few exams.

Suddenly I've got to uni and I haven't had to do this. My timetable is empty in comparison. I wake up at the moment in a panic because I can't remember what I'm supposed to be doing, only to discover it's because I don't actually have anything to do.

I hate it. I'm so used to having to plan, organise everything down to the minute, sort stuff out that now I don't have anything to to I feel worried, paranoid that I've forgotten something. People phone me and ask if I'm doing anything on a certain day and I can actually say yes, not 'At what time, I've got a rehearsal at three but I'm sure I can make it to yours at seven' or something. I can't relax. If I have just one thing to do in the day it is such a momentus occasion that it takes over. It feels like it's the whole.

Take today, I have an interview at four. I also have to get to uni beforehand and see if the rehearsal schedule as been written yet and if there are any messages for me. I'm intending to leave at about half two to allow for trains etc. I just know that I'll either get paraniod about time (I tend to do that anyway) and leave at about half one and get there obscenely early, or end up forgetting about time and have to rush.

But instead of thinking like that and then organising the morning, because I don't *have* to do anything I end up doing nothing. I've got stuff I have to do at some point, write my CV, clarinet practice, and tidy up my room for a start. All things that I need to do, but just won't end up (except maybe the CV) being done because I have too much time. I don't have to squeeze everything into three hours any more. I don't have any motivation when I don't have to worry abou time.

Now to learn to do something about that.

Obviously, you need to fill in the time by creating a faux-schedule - one that makes you look exceedingly busy, but in fact means you are doing very little.

My 3rd schedule typically looked something like this:

9:00 Get up, shower, clean teeth etc.
9:30 Walk into department
10:00 Have lecture
11:00 Walk home
11:30 Make project update on computer (translation - play Championship Manager or chat on h2g2)
13:00 Make and eat lunch
14:00 Fix JCR photocopier or other essential JCR business
15:00 Break, cup of tea and chinwag with friends.
15:30 Finish JCR business
17:00 Ring Mum
17:30 Make and eat dinner
18:30 Any coursework required
20:00 Drink
23:30 Bring drunks back to my room for 4-hour GameCube session
3:30 Sleep

As you can see - there is absolutely nothing of any value on there, but I managed to give the impression of always being busy by bustling around a lot.

B

So far today:

9:30 Get up, stumble as far as the computer.
12:50 Get to the shower
13:00 Get back to the computer

I'm having problems filling this out any more...

You've really got to believe that you're doing something productive with your time.

B

Um... uh... but I'm not, that's the problem!

What am I doing, ing like that. It's my own fault for not getting off of my arse and doing anything about it! In fact, sod it, I'm going offline right now, damn it.

*waits*

B

Got to say Vip, if your stuck for things to do you can have some of mine!

Come on, we're already playing in some of the same concerts!

Right, after this brief moment back online (mainly to see if B would have posted something (and yup, I was right, he did)) I am in fact going down to to uni.

See you guys later.

I've still got some exams left if you want those..........

s time is the great deciever, always too much until its a last minute essay rush

I've got the job! It turned out that it wasn't an interview, rather a 'this is what you've got yourself into' pep talk. Weird.

Sorry someone said a four hour gaming session is of no real value? Get your priorities straight!

As for timtabling jus' plan your free time if it makes you feel better - I tend towards the chaos approach but if you want to phone me and arrange to watch the first martix film* at precisesly 3:37:18PM be my guest (literally)

Oh and I've said it before (in fact I just left your room) but it bears repeating: Congrats on the Job




* -> no I won't give up on this till you've seen it

great news about the job Vip!! (real)!

Now why didnt' you reply to my text asking how it went

She didn't reply to my text either

I was sure I texted you, Z. I remember typing it. Maybe it didn't send but I didn't notice. I do apologise.

Acid: 12p is a waste if I can wake up the whole of Lake instead.

BUt I actually got it!

yay

Oh Vip, must be my phone being congratualations, when do you start?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/classic/U219076
check it out pleeese Z??

I'm trainig next week to start the week after.

Congratumalations!

And I think I've found the real cause of all your troubles... You think too much!

Statistically speaking, every single person who thinks, dies. Therefore, thinking must be bad for you