Monday, Monday, Monday.

8:45 a.m.: Wake up, no snooze. Come on, get up. I promise once you roll over and slide your feet on the ground it’ll be easier. That’s it. Now get in the shower, the hot water will get ya up. Hurry though—here’s the plan: start eating by 9:15, finish getting ready, gather your stuff and out the door by 9:40. Don’t land in the fourth lot in the Blue Zone, and you’ll be in class before 10:05.

9:20 a.m.: Why isn’t the coffee brewing? Where is my textbook? Where is my computer charger? Where are my car keys?

9:40 a.m.: Computer? Check. Spanish textbook? Check. Computer charger? Check. Pubpol readings for 4:25? Check. Gym clothes for relaxing (ha!) yoga at 2:50? Check (still smirking). Ummm uhhh English story that needs to be finished by tomorrow? Check. Do I have my computer charger?

9:43 a.m.: GET COFFEE, TURN OFF POT. Do not forget and burn down apartment—roommate would be mad.

9:53 a.m.: Fourth lot on the right in Blue Zone. ETA in Allen building? 10:07.

10:07 a.m.: Allen Building. Figurative pat on the back for correctly guessing time.

10:08 a.m.-11:20 a.m.: Mindlessly take notes. Avoid making eye contact with the professor at all costs.

11:21 A.M.: Cancel lunch plans. I’m sorry, Sharon, I’m busy. Didn’t finish my readings for my 4:25 and I have class before that at 2:50, and I have to send emails to Mary, Harry and Larry…and Jerry. I’m real sorry bud, but I’m busy, ya know? I’m busy. We’ll reschedule.

11:30 a.m. – 2:35 p.m.:  Pick up a triple club sandwich with no tomatoes and a large coffee from Alpine bagels before the lunch rush. Run to table in the library and spread out your stuff like a bird molting feathers. Read, email, eat, read, eat, email, eat, eat, re-read due to lack of focus, respond to new email, read, eat, read, read, read.

2:36 p.m.: Miss bus, too full. Curse C-1 gods, and the entire South in general for failing to notice everyone but them is in a hurry. Desperately try to resist the urge to punch the freshman babbling next to you.

2:41 p.m.: Finally get on bus. Contemplate impending lateness. Initiate weak, forced conversation with that girl you kind of know. “What are you doing?” “Going to class.” “Me too!”

2:54 p.m.: Arrive at Yoga (four minutes late).

2:55 – 4:07 p.m.: “Clear mind”and “let go” of stress. Forget to breathe while stretching and try not to pass out and give into the tunnel feeling and visible spots.

4:07 p.m.: Get out late and miss the C-3 at 4:08! Dejectedly wait for C-1. Resign yourself to the fact that you will be late for your 4:25 in Sanford.

4:10 p.m.: Notice missed call from Mom. Quickly return it. “Hi Mom, yeah I’m good, very busy. In fact, can’t really talk now, I’ll call you back…soon. Love you, too.” It’s one of those days.

4:something, but after 4:25 p.m.:  Arrive at your once-a-week, two-and-a-half hour class. Try to settle in and mentally relax.

6:55 p.m.: Time for meetings and more email! YAY!

7:05 p.m.:  Alpine. Wheat bagel, toasted, low fat cream cheese. Fro yo as a reward for another day (almost) done.  Another large coffee – sixth cup of the day. One more nutritionally worthless meal (Which reminds me, you didn’t make it to the gym today…).

9:00 p.m.: Meetings done. All emails answered that, if unanswered, could lead to a nuclear meltdown. Library or home? Hey Caitlin, wait are you in Blue Zone?!? Drive me to my car?!?!?

9:20 p.m.: Arrive at home. Sit on couch. Breathe.

9:21 – 10:05 p.m.: Mindlessly stare at computer screen.

10:06 p.m.: Snap to! To-do list: 50 pages for English due tomorrow and 17 questions spread out over 30 pages for Spanish due tomorrow. Not going to be collected, so make maximum minimal effort.

11:00 p.m.: Más Café.

11:05-2:20 a.m.: Switch between reading, Gchat and facebook.

Rachel: Are you going out Wednesday? You: Gahhhhh I wish! There is no way though Rachel: Aww that sucks! End of conversation.

2:20 – 2:23 a.m.: Self-reflection and soul searching. Was I always this busy? Was it like this last semester, last spring?

2:30 a.m.: Bedtime.

2:33 a.m.: Remember questions due Wednesday.

2:40 a.m:. Remember you promised to help out Jennie Thursday after class. Jfdsjlkafj… no basketball game for you!

2:43 a.m.: Remember to tell your group that they now need a replacement for the walk-up line.

2:50 a.m.: SLEEP! SLEEP QUICKER!

Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday. 9:15 a.m.…

And it starts all over again. Eat, work, email, shower (maybe), class, read, write, work out (hopefully), eat, more class, more emails, more reading… less sleeping. This lifestyle is what 26, 694 high school seniors dream about, and what 602 have already bound themselves to for the next four years of their lives.

This is a day in the life of a Duke student.

Laura Keeley is a Trinity junior. Her column runs every other Monday.