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351
viewsThe 40 Year Old Senior
By namaste612, Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 1 comments
I have been taking classes at the university where I work for what feels like a lifetime. I say I am "taking classes," rather than identify myself as a student because when I take only one class per semester (or sometimes, if I'm feeling particularly studious, two), it is difficult to consider myself among the 7,500 textbook slinging, flip flop wearing scholars matriculating around me. Sure, I sit in the front of the class, participate like crazy, and get all A's. The professors seem to adore us "nontraditional" students (translation: older). But while I'm slogging through, I watch the "traditional" students (translation: perky, text-messaging, sweat-pants-wearing young people) come and go. They take five classes per semester and in no time they're gone; they graduate, head off to start a career, and I'm still here. After working a solid eight hours a day at my demanding job and attending class three days a week, I sprint through the grocery store on my way home, conjure up some dinner for the fam, maybe clean up afterward (or sometimes leave it for the next day), and waste time on the internet because I'm too fried to study.
But I think I see ahead of me a glimmer of proverbial light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. After this semester, I realize that I will have completed 90 credits toward my baccalaureate degree. That makes me now a senior. When I began taking classes seven years ago, after transferring the measly 14 credits I earned right out of high school, I never envisioned making it to this point. I decide to open the undergraduate catalog and examine the requirements for a B.A. in English. Let's see...I need two more literature classes, one fitness class, the capstone experience of "Senior Seminar" (whatever that means), plus 20 more credits of electives...keeping in mind that I must complete a total of 30 credits in upper level courses, I may not exceed 48 credits in my major or any one department, and I have to publish a minimum of 15 pieces of writing. That's simple enough. Wait. What? Lit..fit..senior sem...20...30...48...15. Ok, got it.
This has been quite a journey, being an adult learner. Unlike my rebellious and cranky 18-year-old self, I actually care about the work I am doing now. I strive for excellence in all my assignments and I appreciate the efforts the professors put into preparing for their classes. I enjoy my professors, probably because I can relate to them. Many of them have families, all of them have real jobs, and none of them can text any faster than I can. They are interesting people who are passionate about imparting knowledge. Many of them crack witty comments and if it weren't for me laughing, the sound of crickets would echo throughout the classroom. It's a rather strange custom for kids to graduate high school and then head straight to college. It is so much more meaningful now, just like everything else in my life.
Graduation is not immediately imminent. (I don't know if that's redundant but I know my writing professors would cringe if I used a cliche like "just around the corner," so I'm sticking with the alliteration.) By my calculations I should earn my bachelor's in December 2011. My son will be a freshman in college at that time; maybe we can commute together. I do not know what I plan to do after I have my bachelor's degree. There is a good chance I will hang the diploma on my wall and then continue to go to work each day and cook dinner for my family. I will most likely set a new goal once this one is achieved, such as enrolling in yoga teacher training. And then somehow I will combine my two passions, yoga and writing. I can write a yoga instructional manual, articles for a yoga magazine, or a semi-fictional book with a yogi as the main character. Whatever I decide to do, I am sure it will take a long time but will be well worth it in the end, like so many other facets of my life.
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1 Comments
What is it they say... youth is wasted on the young...
Wow, congratulations on your determination and excellence! My sister has had the same experience. She is in her early 50s and just got her degree in the spring. That diploma has very likely saved her life, because she lost her teenage son a couple of weeks before graduation and her new teaching job this fall has at times been her only reason to get out of bed. She could never have known that when she set out to graduate from college! Like you, she was a straight-A student and the professors looooved her. I so admire both of you. Good luck on whatever's next! :) "Trust Life's unfolding..."
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