I am happy to report that I am finally feeling better. Unfortunately, that means it's time to get down to work. My blog has made it very apparent that I'm not doing much "studying" while abroad. The truth of the matter is, the French system is very different from the American system. In theory, French students spend many more hours in class every week (they take more classes and each class meets more often and for longer), but do less work outside of class. The problem is, we American students still only take 15 hours of class a week because that's what our universities will give us credit for. Plus, the light course load gives us time to travel and take advantage of all the city has to offer. Problem: this system is terrible for my study skills. For me, the less I have to do, the harder it is to get anything done. If I'm constantly running around, busy busy busy, everything seems to get done...and on time. Here, it's a different story. Because there's less to do, fewer commitments, and a less rigid daily schedule, it's hard to find a routine. That is why I am currently sitting in bed, blogging although I am still 3 acts away from the end of Le Misanthrope, dreading the in-class essay I have on Tuesday, and wishing I could be in Oxford right now where Stephen and my future roommate Shayna are visiting my friend and future-roommate Phoebe.
On the brightside, Stephen comes to visit on Monday, giving me a strict deadline by which to finish my reading: I must have my studying done by Monday. I'm getting really excited for his visit. It will give me a good excuse to jump back on the Parisian-sightseeing-bandwagon. I still have a long list of things I want to see before the end of the semester and of late, I've been traveling, sick, or attempting to study rather than venturing out into the city too much. And the scary thing is, the semester is reaching the end! I have less than a month and a half of courses left. It's so strange... I don't feel like I've been here two and a half months, the time has really flown by. Then again there are clear signs that I've been in France for quite a while: I can't remember the last time someone has responded to me in English when I speak French to them, I have been asked for directions by French people more than 5 times, I can navigate the metro like a pro (even when my usual route closes due to bomb threats) and I know which way is north, south, east and west better than I do in any American city. Plus, I eat pastries everyday and have actually lost weight without trying... I must be becoming French.
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