As chaotic class schedules and individual obligations begin to devour most of our valued free time, we begin to ask ourselves if summer will decide to come around again.

Navigating the new semester terms and relearning how to handle course loads accordingly will be an adventure for most of us – one that will undoubtedly make us want to throw our expensive course required books out of the window.

As I write this, it is only week two, and students are already feeling the dreaded crunch.

Mike Murphy photo: With fall term already running, it is time for students to make the most out of this upcoming academic year.

First and foremost, we are students and must do what is required of us in order to succeed regardless of what kind of calendar we are on. Many of us were under the impression that longer semesters would lessen stress brought on by an intense workload. Are professors attempting to increase course loads to compensate for decreased class time instead of spreading it out over time?

Are both professors and students just so familiar with trimesters that each feels the need to get as much done as humanly possible, despite a prolonged term? I think the real question here is will we all be incredibly burned out by the time finals arrive this year — or will we be pleasantly surprised?

We will all be fine in the end, we always are. Students and staff will eventually become comfortable with our still new university status and changes.

We are all Lakers after all, and that is basically synonymous with the word ‘tough.’ We would not have chosen The ‘Hurst if we could not brave Erie’s crazy weather.