The Battle with Time
It’s now Week 12; more commonly known as “hell week”, impending assignments and project submissions haunt us every day of the week, and even those that follow. Some have crafted out a perfect game plan to conquer the mountain of work by setting their sights on the finish line perfectly crafted out a game plan to conquer these two weeks by setting their sights on the finishing line. Others, like myself, resort to begrudgingly accept our fate. Lacking that impeccable concentration the former group has, I find myself lost in my thoughts—mulling over time.
Standard Time by Mark Formanek in the O.P.E.N 2016
Not too long ago, I was having a ball of a time with my friends graduating; we lived carefree lives with minimal responsibilities. The fun then extended onto the various orientation camps I attended; meeting strangers through quirky game activities and bonding sessions that lasted past dawn. Soon after, it was the official start of my university life as a 'freshie'.
SMUX 2016 Camp Photo (Image Source: Robert Chai, Roberryarts/Capturefuse Photography, https://www.facebook.com/capturefusephotography/)
Even though most freshmen were socially adept by the start of school, navigating the school’s academic structure was quite the contrary. In my first few weeks, I hopelessly grappled with with the unfamiliar school system that all Singapore Management University students were expected to abide by. Now that I am down to my last few weeks as a freshman, I am at last comprehending the school’s mechanism. Looking back, It all seems to have gone by in a blur.
Previously, when seniors would lament about their university life passing by too quickly. If there was ever one lesson to draw from their stories, it would be their unerring remarks about school. It’s incredulous that I am already at the last phase of freshman year.
Where did all the time go?
Screenshot of Maximilian Kiener’s Project (Image source: Why Time Flies, http://maximiliankiener.com/digitalprojects/time/)
In fact, there is a psychological reasoning behind our impression of the speed of time as we age. Marc Wittman and Sandra Lehnhoff, psychologists at the Ludwig-Maximilian University Munich, have theorised the following based on a study they conducted. One interesting theory resounded by many other experts is “ratio theory”. The concept of “ratio theory” suggests that time seems to go by faster because we perceive time relative to the number of years we have already lived. There is even an interactive project created by an Austria designer and prototyper, Maximilian Kiener. “Ratio theory” is just one of the many other reasons accountable for our perception on time.
Unfortunately, as much as we may want It to, time never ceases. In fact, our notion of time will only continue to accelerate at a feverish pace. If the past year is any indication, I am sure that the next few weeks will pass in a blur as well, and before we know it – redemption.
This summer, when we finally get the opportunity to escape (briefly) from our academic responsibilities, let us all commit to those few things we promised we would accomplish years ago, and strive to live our life to the fullest.
“Waste your money and you’re only out of money, but waste your time and you’ve lost a part of your life.” - Michael LeBoeuf