College Is Treating Me Well

I had my doubts about returning to college after such a long time away. Well, let's be honest -- I was a nervous wreck! I obsessed about it, worrying that I'd screw up and disappoint everyone. I'm too old for this, I lamented. There's too much walking, too much carrying of heavy book bags. And I'm too busy. I have to work, keep house, keep two kids and a hubby happy, deal with our critters, garden, yadda yadda.

But you know what? It isn't so bad.

I am finding that the extra effort I put in because I'm a grownup and know that success requires a certain amount of work is paying off. I'm also finding that sometimes too much extra effort is, well, too much. I worried so much about my comparative music exam, fearing that it couldn't possibly be as easy as it seemed - and when I finally gathered the courage to take the test (online, it was available all week) I found that I could probably have passed it if I hadn't even bothered to read the book.

I also found that other students who had taken the exam had not figured out the secret to success, which (shh...) is spending some time at the book's companion website and taking the practice quizzes over and over till you receive 100% -- then going directly to the exam, which uses the very same questions.

The secret to success in my history class is taking copious notes and writing out explanations to the terms on the study guide, printing out a blank map and identifying the places on the study guide, and reading the book as directed. I guess I figured it out, because I got a 97 on the first exam.

The secret to success in "Writing for the Web" has three parts: A.) Similar to the music class, take the quizzes over and over till you get 100%. Only then should you send your answer to the instructor for recording. B.) Follow directions. C.) Learn to Google.

Literature? Similar to Writing for the Web. Follow directions, read the material, and learn to Google. It also helps to be friendly with the professor. She's very approachable and helpful.

Which reminds me...many students seem to have, and expect to have, an adversarial relationship with their teachers. This is understandable, considering that our futures do depend on their evaluations, and some of them can be arrogant and difficult. But really, they're just people. Since I'm entering my fourth decade on planet Earth, I know some people who are teachers and consider them friends. They have the same worries and goals as everyone else -- wanting good marriages, happy family relationships, healthy kids, and satisfaction of personal goals. They worry about things like where to travel for that week on vacation, paying their mortgages, a sick cat, and a child diagnosed with a learning disability. Teaching is a job, like any other.

Most teachers appreciate it when their students recognize this fact and show genuine concern and consideration for the teacher's time and labor. While they are "just people" they are also people who have devoted many years, lots of money, and a huge effort toward earning their own degrees, certifications, and academic accomplishments. This deserves respect, so you don't treat your professor like you would treat Joe at the Wal-mart oil-change service bay.

The point that seems to elude many college students is this: You're there to get an education, not to earn a certain number of credits at a certain minimum GPA. Work like you care about the information, and the grades will follow.

With that bit of geekery aside, let me share some personal, emotional observations.

This quarter, I only have two classes on campus. The rest are online, done at home. My two on-campus classes are Math and History. In math class, I started out sitting toward the front, but got self-conscious and now sit in the back row. I sit next to a very nice young man of about 20 who is studying to become a paramedic. He and his friend on the other side laugh at the teacher sometimes, which appeals to my rebellious nature -- not completely suppressed, even at my age -- and my subconscious, immature suspicion of "math geeks." (I'm a Liberal Arts person...say no more.) I laugh too, a little. He's been talking about an upcoming fishing trip with his friends. It was last weekend, and so today I asked how it went. He spoke to me like a peer - like anyone else in the class, a potential friend, and that made me very happy. I'm old enough to be his mom but he didn't treat me that way. Either he really is a very nice young man, or maybe I don't look like I'm 40.

I like to think I don't look 40. I'll take 35. Hubby today told me I looked 30 at the most, but I think he may be a little biased. He would likely prefer to hear that he doesn't look 40 either. He doesn't, always. The thing about being this age -- when you feel good and are fresh, you look younger. When you feel like crap, are tired or ill, the number 40 is meaningless and might be replaced instead with the term "old fart." These days it takes makeup, a good hair day, and just the right clothes to make me look youthful at all. Fortunately, I'm practicing. A lot. I need to enjoy it while I can!

Of course, it's the results that count. I have 39 credit hours to earn after this quarter, and then I'm going to grad school, if they'll have me. Once you pass that threshold, being an old fart isn't so much of a liability. At least that's what I'm hoping for!