The studying I put off while waiting for the results has piled up.
The exam is over, but the results aren’t in yet. As I wait for them, the work I’ve fallen behind on keeps piling up on my desk.
Daeun can’t bring herself to study while waiting for her exam results. Then she sees what her study partner does and hears a few words from her counselor.
While waiting for her exam results, Daeun sees that her study partner, Minji, has already posted next week’s study plan. In counseling, Daeun says she hasn’t been able to touch her books until the results come out, and now she’s fallen behind. Saebyeok offers her a small note to write down only what she opens today, instead of trying to catch up on every page at once. Daeun doesn’t start writing or resolve the situation. The story pauses with her open book in front of her, the wait and the backlog still there.
When all the studying you’ve fallen behind on is in front of you
The work that piles up while you wait can make even the book you open today feel heavy.
When you tried to open your book while waiting for results, what caught your eye first?
When you’re waiting for results and all the studying you’ve fallen behind on piles up in front of you, even opening a book can feel hard. In that moment, I saw the waiting and the backlog merge into one big weight. If you’ve sat at a desk like that, tell me about your moment, too.
Scenes
- 01 · A plan posted in the study chat — One afternoon, while waiting for her exam results, Daeun saw Minji post next week’s study plan in the group chat.
- 02 · Pages I’ve fallen behind on — After seeing Minji’s plan, Daeun leaves her book open but starts by counting how much she’s fallen behind.
- 03 · Just one page — In the counseling room, Daeun says she’s fallen behind while waiting for her results. Saebyeok places a note beside her book, for writing down only the pages she opens today. Daeun: I couldn’t bring myself to touch my books before the results came out. Now I’ve fallen so far behind. Saebyeok: Daeun, trying to catch up all at once makes the very first page feel heavy. How about writing down only the pages you open today?
- 04 · In front of a blank space — The book, its corner folded, and a blank note sit side by side. Daeun can’t yet say how much of the work she’ll face while waiting for the results. Saebyeok: Those pages you’ve fallen behind on keep catching your eye while you wait. Daeun: If I write down just one page for today, the rest will still be there.
Stories by Saebyeok
- Saebyeok
- While I wait for the results, I’m already worried about who I’ll be compared with.
- After washing up, I stand before the mirror and see the choice I left behind again.
- On rainy days, I’d open just one page.
- When I say I’m taking a break, the dinner table falls quiet.
- I sat at my desk waiting for a reply.
- After an interview, every little thing I could’ve done better comes to mind at once.
- I opened a book while folding laundry, but keep rereading the same line.
- Even when the afternoon starts late, night runs late again.