School Work Overload

Today was not a good day, not only for me but for quite a few of my classmates as well. Weeks of non-stop work coupled with the short, cold winter days has rendered many of us tired, creatively drained and in desperate need of a break. It's true that we've only been back in school for a month now, but it has been an intense month. I really don't understand why we're given quite so much work. I know that in the professional world, if we end up at a design firm or go free-lance, that we'll be expected to juggle 8-9 projects at any given time, and will have to work odd hours, but that isn't the established norm, and even if it is for some companies, this whole workaholic lifestyle - never having free time or the ability to have hobbies or a social life isn't healthy for anyone, and really shouldn't be getting promoted, especially not by teachers.

I feel so drained right now, and can't afford to be. I have 8 major projects on the go. I do my best to time manage, but there just aren't enough hours in the day. I set deadlines for myself and work long hours - especially on weekends, and I still can't keep up. So many of the projects we're working on require a constant flow of creativity and detailed work that can't be rushed. I just don't get it. I like the projects we're working on, but there is just too much of them all at once in a never-ending stream.

It's at times like this that I begin to question my suitability, not only for the design industry, but for this program as well. Yet, if someone who works as hard as I do can't keep up with the coursework,  then surely there is something wrong with the way things are being handled. I understand that they're trying to prepare us for the work-world, but pushing people into creative blackouts and stress-induced fits of hysteria is not going to accomplish anything. The saying "quantity versus quality" exists for a reason. Yes, you need to find the delicate balance between the two, but that is going to be different for every individual, and I can tell you right now, I am not doing my best design work