The Usual Suspects

The Drainer

This person does not have to be in your class, necessarily, but is someone who drains the energy right from you when ever you come in contact with them.

If you are generally in a positive, upbeat mood or you are not one to be tired while at school: beware.

Sure enough, when you least expect it, you'll run into this person and oddly enough your mood begins to shift. You become tired and start to feel run down. You leave the lecture/discussion/conversation wondering what happened-- you were in a completely different mood before you started talking to this person and all of sudden everything has turned around!

Well, take note! You have just been drained by the "Drainer." Once the "Drainer" starts talking, he/she seems to absorb all the precious energy you once had right away from you and you are pretty much done until you can pump yourself back up again!

Some key things to notice when spotting the "Drainer" are described below.

• Often times he/she will have a slow, monotone voice;
• A reiteration of stories that can easily be conveyed in a few sentences takes up 5-10 minutes of your time; or
• You have already nicknamed her "Debbie Downer"; or
• You find yourself constantly yawning through the lecture/discussion/conversation.

And, of course the after-effects leave you:

• Feeling completely tired and/or zombie-like post-"Drainer" session;
• Looking at your watch or for the nearest clock and wishing there was some way you could get those ten (or fifty!) minutes of your life back; or
• Reliving those lectures/discussions/conversations when you're faced with a bought of insomnia. Instant snooze-time.

Best advice: try to stay away from the "Drainer" to the best that you can. He/she will continue to lower your energy levels and it will only sour your mood. And, you definitely do not want that as you are working hard at aspiring to be a legalista or an up-and-coming corporette.