Twelve days of assignments!
In her latest column, The Good Life, Gemma Good braved the storm to get her college assignments handed in on time...
Through the trials and tribulations of life, natural disasters and procrastination, I finally got my assignments done and submitted for the semester. With hints of wind for last Monday night, I took off for college that evening with the hopes of dodging the stormy conditions. I had no lectures during the week, but I was going purely with the intent of finishing off my assignments for Christmas.
I know it seems very extreme driving all the way to Limerick just to do assignments, but the library is the only place I can get anything done. My parents also made the trek from Cavan on Friday evening. I invited them to show that, despite the common misconceptions about Limerick (I’m sure everyone knows what it’s referred to around here), it is in fact a nice city and just about as safe as the rest of them.
I arrived down on Sunday night and opened my laptop straight away. I had a video assignment due at 6pm that evening. I did it on the ‘Gathering In’ project, which took place in Cavan on November 26-28. It really was beautiful and an excellent idea for a visual assignment. I hadn’t really thought about it, but the wonderful thing about working with artists is that they know lots about lighting, framing and have an excellent camera presence.
I had all my shots, interviews and everything done, but of course I forgot to do my piece to camera. This is where the reporter puts themselves at the scene of the action, you see them on the news sometimes, it establishes a location and is proof that the reporter was present. They literally speak to the camera, addressing the audience, while explaining what is happening.
So, enroute to Limerick, with a storm threatening and rain battering down, I took a detour to the Town Hall in Cavan. If you happened to see someone talking to a phone on a tripod, last Monday evening - no you didn’t. The light was awful, the wind completely drowned out my voice and the sleety rain did not make for a pleasant experience (Teresa Mannion eat your heart out). On top of that, my camera lens is cracked so it’s safe to say my assignment won’t be on the six one anytime soon.
Anyway, I may not get top marks but it ticked a box and I got all submitted at 11:50pm. It felt so good to have another one off the list. Christmas holidays were finally in sight.
Each time you send an assignment, you hear ‘ping’ in your inbox to confirm the successful submission. Even though I knew what it was, I looked in my inbox for my own gratification. I was greeted with an email from the college in block capitals which read ‘UL CAMPUS AND FACILITIES WILL CLOSE FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT AND ON TUESDAY 07 DECEMBER 2021.’
I nearly lost it. In those few hours, Limerick had moved to a status red zone. For some reason, which in hindsight was completely ridiculous considering the warnings, I hadn’t anticipated the college closing. No library, no gym, no swimming pool, nothing. We were advised to stay indoors. Hell.!
I spent most of Tuesday trying to do my assignment and looking out at the rain. In fairness, it was pretty bad. My roommate’s friends came over and made me Indian tea. It was beautiful, a delicious blend of tea leaves, boiled milk, ginger and cardamom. They have promised to show me how to make it. As well as this, they have asked me to have dinner with them when exams are over. I am so looking forward to it – they are all amazing cooks.
The only thing is, I feel like I must return the favour and I have no idea what to make. While they conjure up amazing dishes of Indian street foods, curries and teas that make your taste buds dance, we’re here debating over Lyons and Barrys. I can’t very well throw bacon and cabbage in front of them. I voiced this concern and, after they had finished laughing, they questioned me on the traditional Irish breakfast. Now this was something I could work with, and so it was a plan. Either during the holidays or next semester, we are cooking for each other. If anyone has any ideas on how one can spice up some boxty, do get on to me.
I’d say I did another hour of my essay before sauntering across to my friend’s block, where we sat playing Mario Bros on her Wii for the evening. If we were in the library, this wouldn’t have happened, but none of us were complaining. So even though all had a mountain of crap due, we decided to prioritise Princess Peach. Best decision ever. We barely even noticed the email coming in from the college telling us everything would be closed until 6pm on Wednesday also.
Until that time, we did the bare minimum. It felt great at the time, but not on Wednesday evening when we pulled ourselves into the library. Two days is a lot with deadlines looming. My essay was due on Friday at 5pm.
Thursday saw me in the library from 7am until just after 11 that night, only going home for food and to go to the gym for an hour. It was the longest stint I have ever done, but I got everything finished. I submitted my final draft on Friday morning, I was delighted with myself. Only then did I check the group chat to see that everyone else requested extensions and received them. I didn’t care though, I was happy to have everything out of the way.
I spent the rest of the day scrubbing the apartment. It passed my parents’ inspection and we had a great weekend, with both of them agreeing that Limerick was, in fact, a beautiful city.
* Gemma Good is from Killeshandra and a second year journalism student in University of Limerick.
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