Hark! The herald angels shout, “Seven more days till we get out!

No more tests and no more books, no more teachers’ dirty looks. No more math or philosophy; English and Psych are History!

“After break more work is due; that can wait till next year too.”

Hark! The herald angels shout, “Seven more days till we get out.”

I started singing this song during my high school years and I would use it to count down the number of days left until break.

It’s a funny rendition of the original Christmas classic, but I know that when it’s the season to start singing my song, Christmas break is not far away.

However, before we reach the oasis of freedom from academics, we must first overcome mountains of sand dunes that can really drain us of our strength.

The days seem to go by faster and slower at different times of the day, but the school day seems to quadruple in length with the amount of work that we all have to do.

It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but when everything is piled on cumulatively, we feel the pressure of the stress.

Dear reader, I feel your pain.

Take heart though! There are people who can help you out and there are opportunities to help you out.

The First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, located on Sixth Street, almost at the intersection of Sixth and Myrtle, is allowing students to have 24-hour study space on its ground floor from 9 p.m. Wednesday until 9 a.m. Monday.

Simply bring your student ID and you will be able to study in peace without worrying about distractions from your roommate or anyone else.

People will be monitoring the space at all times, so disruptions during study should not be an issue.

I also have a person who can help you when you are having difficulty in your studies.

St. Joseph of Cupertino is the patron saint of success in exams and I have prayed for his intercession more than once.

Here is a short prayer that you can say to ask for his help.

“O Great St. Joseph of Cupertino, who while on earth did obtain from God the grace to be asked at your examination only the questions you knew, obtain for me a like favor in the examinations for which I am now preparing.

“In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.

“I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. St. Joseph of Cupertino, Pray for us.”

As we make our way closer to the end, I would ask that you keep all the students, faculty and staff in your thoughts and prayers, because this is such an overwhelming time for a lot of people.

My prayer is that everyone will be safe, and I hope that all of you have a wonderful Christmas break.

Merry Christmas, Christ is born!

NATHAN DEMAREST

[email protected]