The study avoiding ritual

And consequently, this feeling also marks the start of our ‘study avoiding rituals’, a simple but universal phenomenon practiced by all students everywhere. But relax, don’t stress, this is a perfectly healthy reaction to an open book.

Sure, we all want get educated, but until the day comes when we can buy a chip called ‘Aerodynamics B’ and install it in our brains, we’ve got to study our books. It’s just another thing students don’t like to do, but there are ways to make it less painful.

The study avoiding ritual takes many forms. It often starts when you awake on a day when studying is on the schedule. Your morning shower takes longer than usual, you start tidying up your room at odd times, your morning cup of coffee seems never-ending, and for the first time ever you decide to make some sandwiches for lunch.

When you finally start studying, you spend more time hanging around the library coffee machine chatting with other ‘avoiders’ than studying. And of course the ritual isn’t complete unless you’ve checked your email at least 4 times an hour and reply to friends you haven’t spoken to in ages. But what tops it all off is going out to make out on the library roof . although next time climb higher guys, we can still see you. Sure it’s ok in the name of love or whatever…because there’s just something about studying that gets you in the mood for…whatever, as long as it ain’t studying.

The dictionary defines bureaucracy as ‘an administrative system in which the need or inclination to follow rigid or complex procedures impedes effective action’. Bureaucracy is certainly a feature of the Dutch government. And while it’s great to have everything documented and nicely ordered, it isn’t very nice to keep your citizens and expats at least three weeks behind the rest of the world. Things seem to be done differently here, and not with much sense to some. Everything administrative takes time to finish, and the big question – ‘why so long?’ – is what no one seems able to answer. The driver’s license after you’ve already passed the exam, your bank account if you try to change your address, a working permit after all your forms are sorted out…takes 3 weeks, 3 weeks, 3 weeks.

But time seems different depending on whether you’re giving or receiving. A company in Holland would never take as long as 3 weeks to take money owed out of your account (think automatic tuition payments, cell phone bills). It’s more like 3 minutes, than three weeks. But when it comes to them giving you a refund, time slows down again. My new cell phone plan allows me a certain number of minutes for 5 euros a month. A great deal I thought, until I figured out I had to pay 25 euros a month instead for that deal. Apparently the deal still stands, but I have to pay 25 euros monthly, and then every month I get a 20 euro refund – of course, 3 weeks later.

In my last column I wrote about some common complaints I and other students had about working in the Industrial Design Faculty’s PMB design workshop. Well, I’m happy to report that since my comments were published, there have been some positive changes in the workshop: the general treatment of students and atmosphere are much improved. Which got me thinking: since the pen is indeed mightier than the sword, if other students have grievances they want me to air or investigate, send me an email about it. Who knows, maybe some positive changes will also happen for you, sooner than you think.

Tarek Ghobar is from Lebanon. The next ‘Tarek’s Diary’ will be published in Delta 17. He can be emailed at: t.ghobar@tudelft.nl

It’s that time of the year again, spring’s just round the corner, summer trips are being planned, and of course, more exams. Sure, I’d rather be outdoors enjoying the warmer weather, but like you, I have to study instead. And consequently, this feeling also marks the start of our ‘study avoiding rituals’, a simple but universal phenomenon practiced by all students everywhere. But relax, don’t stress, this is a perfectly healthy reaction to an open book.

Sure, we all want get educated, but until the day comes when we can buy a chip called ‘Aerodynamics B’ and install it in our brains, we’ve got to study our books. It’s just another thing students don’t like to do, but there are ways to make it less painful.

The study avoiding ritual takes many forms. It often starts when you awake on a day when studying is on the schedule. Your morning shower takes longer than usual, you start tidying up your room at odd times, your morning cup of coffee seems never-ending, and for the first time ever you decide to make some sandwiches for lunch.

When you finally start studying, you spend more time hanging around the library coffee machine chatting with other ‘avoiders’ than studying. And of course the ritual isn’t complete unless you’ve checked your email at least 4 times an hour and reply to friends you haven’t spoken to in ages. But what tops it all off is going out to make out on the library roof . although next time climb higher guys, we can still see you. Sure it’s ok in the name of love or whatever…because there’s just something about studying that gets you in the mood for…whatever, as long as it ain’t studying.

The dictionary defines bureaucracy as ‘an administrative system in which the need or inclination to follow rigid or complex procedures impedes effective action’. Bureaucracy is certainly a feature of the Dutch government. And while it’s great to have everything documented and nicely ordered, it isn’t very nice to keep your citizens and expats at least three weeks behind the rest of the world. Things seem to be done differently here, and not with much sense to some. Everything administrative takes time to finish, and the big question – ‘why so long?’ – is what no one seems able to answer. The driver’s license after you’ve already passed the exam, your bank account if you try to change your address, a working permit after all your forms are sorted out…takes 3 weeks, 3 weeks, 3 weeks.

But time seems different depending on whether you’re giving or receiving. A company in Holland would never take as long as 3 weeks to take money owed out of your account (think automatic tuition payments, cell phone bills). It’s more like 3 minutes, than three weeks. But when it comes to them giving you a refund, time slows down again. My new cell phone plan allows me a certain number of minutes for 5 euros a month. A great deal I thought, until I figured out I had to pay 25 euros a month instead for that deal. Apparently the deal still stands, but I have to pay 25 euros monthly, and then every month I get a 20 euro refund – of course, 3 weeks later.

In my last column I wrote about some common complaints I and other students had about working in the Industrial Design Faculty’s PMB design workshop. Well, I’m happy to report that since my comments were published, there have been some positive changes in the workshop: the general treatment of students and atmosphere are much improved. Which got me thinking: since the pen is indeed mightier than the sword, if other students have grievances they want me to air or investigate, send me an email about it. Who knows, maybe some positive changes will also happen for you, sooner than you think.

Tarek Ghobar is from Lebanon. The next ‘Tarek’s Diary’ will be published in Delta 17. He can be emailed at: t.ghobar@tudelft.nl