chapter 4

As Simon's course progressed the university piled on the pressure, increasing the number and the frequency of his assignments. His clinical work hot harder too. He was allowed to do more and given more responsibility, although he was always observed by his mentor. He tried to ease off on the extra shifts, but financially they could not manage without them.
He worked most weekends and most evenings now. He preferred them to weekdays because he got a third more pay for doing the unsocial hours. He did his academic work on weekday days off. He'd learned, it was better to do a bit of the time than leave it all to the last minute because it became too stressful and he would get himself into a panic.
If he was panicking, he would write all kinds if nonsensical rubbish which would probably fail and he would end up redoing it.

He coped with the stress by eating more. He hid the extra eating from Jennifer. He would call in at a burger place on his way home and consume a happy meal, then when he got in, he would eat something else as well. He would tell her he was late home because he'd had to hand over to the next shift.
He could not write without a cup of tea beside him. A cup of tea was nothing without a biscuit to accompany it and sucking on a biscuit dunked in his tea seemed to help his though processes.
He could get through two packets of biscuits in a day while he was typing. Luckily they were plain rich teas, or plain digestives, but they still managed to have an impact. He knew he had gained a couple of pounds. His uniforms were a tad tighter.
He told himself it would all be over soon. Once he gained his qualification he would not have to work so much and he would earn enough to start paying off his student loan.
When he was working less, he would get back to enjoying life again. He could have a bit of a social life, enjoy the company of his friends again, appreciate Jennifer's patience with him. He would not have to read articles and do research on his days off. He could join a gym and go on a diet, lose these few pounds in a month or so. It would be easy. He thought as he opened another packet of crisps.