time to start respecting yourself, woman

I’m working to get back into the swing of being a full-time student (by which I mean actually focusing on my studies, instead of technically being enrolled but not engaging in any of the activities generally expected of a student… like going to class). I’m beginning to think that laying out some rules for myself would be an excellent plan. So, I’ve decided it’s high time I steal your Back to School Commandments idea. I feel justified in this act knowing that you stole it before I did! Here we go:

Amber’s Back to School Commandments (or, no more wasting your education, dammit!)

1. Go to class, no matter how tired, overwhelmed, or unprepared you are. Just go.
2. Check your calendar often, and keep it updated! You will get everything done, and you will do it on time.
3. Put in consistent work on long assignments, especially in studio classes. You can’t make a sculpture in a day.
4. Don’t get discouraged if things aren’t going well. If you put in the time, it will turn out alright in the end.
5. Stress is no excuse for rudeness to the awesome people in your life. Just because you’ve had a bad day doesn’t mean anyone else has to.
6. Go to the gym at least three times a week. You’ll be more productive, and you know you’ll love it once you get cracking. Make the time.
7. Go to bed, woman! You need sleep!
8. Remember your opportunity costs! It’s high time you graduated. (This means no video games, no matter what happens. You know you don’t have time.)
9. Don’t neglect your friendships! They keep you connected to the outside world, and you know how much you need that.
10. Having respect for yourself means committing to your education. You deserve a future beyond cheap portrait studios.

P.S. The best pick-me-up in the world is just a phone call away. Never forget why you’re doing this.

Remember the rules, self, and you’ll do just fine. You have one busy, busy week, but you just have to make it until Friday before your whole world gets a whole lot better.

A little extra motivation never goes awry:

“For anything worth having one must pay the price, and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice – no paper currency, no promises to pay, but the gold of real service.” – John Burroughs

Also, can I just say, one of my favorite things about my major is the fact that I can work on my most important assignments while listening to Neil Gaiman’s short stories on audiobook. I was amazingly productive today, although it doesn’t feel that way… six hours of work and I don’t even have paint on my canvas! (At least the surface is exquisite, and I’m ready to begin painting tomorrow.) BUT I was able to be amazingly productive and hear several stories from Fragile Things simultaneously. That’s pretty much the definition of a good day.