This semester, I was blessed with a schedule that ends my academic week at 11:00 a.m. on Thursdays, giving me the freedom of a three-day weekend and the opportunity to get my work done before the weekend festivities even begin. However, it is currently Sunday afternoon, and I am already holed up in Case at two in the morning, hoping to God I can salvage some sleep before my Monday classes. I admit I fall victim to the deadly illness known as the procrastination bug time and time again, but the annoyance with myself lies in my inability to capitalize on my opportunities. It’s October and I know I shouldn’t make excuses, but then again, it’s just so easy to kick back with some Netflix and look at the text invites from my friends and then whoops, it’s suddenly Sunday evening and what have I done so far?

Don’t think of this article as a soapbox for me to vent about my own personal struggles. Right now, we are all in a time where the urge to not procrastinate is as important as ever. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have witnessed the Association for Critical Collegians (ACC) organize a week-long sit-in of the Hurwitz Admissions Center, giving voices to those who have not been heard and challenging the Administration to create a more open and inclusive Colgate for all attending students. Regardless of what you think of the sit-in, it was successful in starting a conversation and exposing some of the acts of racism, classism and homophobia that occur at Colgate. My experience as a participant was one of love and openness. I saw students display acts of courage that I never would have seen anywhere else on campus. 

This Saturday, I attended “This Is Not A Play About Sex,” a beautiful weaving together of narratives about experiences regarding relationships, sex, love and more at Colgate. The play brought to light many of the issues surrounding sexual assault and gender hierarchy on campus. Brehmer Theater was filled to capacity, so it is safe to say that the play got its message out to a large part of Colgate’s student body.

My biggest worry stemming from the aforementioned events is that change on campus stops at the closing of the curtains or the exit out of Admissions, that we all return to our safe and comfortable social circles and routines, unchanged by what we have seen. Like my tendency to watch Netflix on Fridays, it’s the easy thing to do. This brings to mind a quote by the great Albus Dumbledore (RIP) who said, “There will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right.” I’m not saying break off from all your friends and abstain from drinking and fun, but don’t let the sit-in or “TINAPAS” fly right under your radar. Big things came from these past two weeks, and if you opened your ears even a crack, you gained some ability to imagine Colgate for what it really is for many people. Hamilton, N.Y. is a wonderful place to be, but I think it could be even better if we held each other accountable for the actions we take. Treat one another with respect, acknowledge where we can improve and be open to changing those things, whether that be standing up to your friends and pointing out flaws or letting someone you barely know eat with you at Frank. This may require bearing down and grinding out your work on Friday, but I would love to come back for my five-year reunion and see such an openness and love spread throughout campus. The responsibility is on all of us. Let’s not procrastinate.