Not my first day, though.
Campus has changed. It’s been pretty calm all Summer, but now it’s back to buzzing. It was quiet when I got to the library yesterday morning and crazy nuts by the afternoon. The main floor was so thick with tour groups, I didn’t want to leave the safety of my cubicle.
It’s weird looking at all the students and trying to figure them out. The MBA students didn’t even crack a smile when one of the librarians giving them a tour joked about books. Not that I think business students can be summed up so simply. I’m just saying that the two religion students behind the desk thought it was funny.
I try to pick out the freshman, but it’s not as easy as you’d think. Mom and dad standing at their sides makes it easier. I want to believe they’re all terrified, because that’s how I felt on my first day of college. Not happy nervous, but dreadful-nervous. I’m excited for them still, because college is amazing. I didn’t realize that until I was nearly finished.
For at least the first few years after I got my license, a huge waive of relief passed over me every time I thought about how I never had to learn to drive again. I don’t know why it was such a big stress in my life. Driver’s ed with the serial-killer looking instructor, practicing my parallel parking, too many hours spent waiting at the DMV. I can look back on it fondly now, but at the time I was just so happy to be done with it.
I feel that way now when I see all the freshman. God am I relieved I don’t have to do that again. But, man am I sorry I don’t get to do that again! Sometimes I think that hindsight would make every experience so much easier and more fun, but life without crushing uncertainty really isn’t life. Really am glad I’m done with driver’s ed, though.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I know what you mean. I was incredibly homesick my first year of college, but if I could do it again know what I know now I think I would have an amazing time.
College was fun. It was this amazing period in my life, so many new but scary experiences, learning things about myself, meeting interesting people, everyday was a challenge. Now the monotony of doing the same thing every day and seeing the same people in my office, on the bus is such drag. But at least now I have a steady income, god! I hated being poor and starving in college. I used to wish I could go back and do it all over again, but not anymore, I’ve moved on and changed so that it probably wouldn’t be like what I remember and I don’t want to taint the memories I have of that time in my life, both good and bad.
I think it’s a miracle that we both survived driver’s ed with that drive instructor. He had to have been a serial killer. He made me drive to 7-11! That’s just plain weird.
I think it’s weird to be back on campus as a grad student, being one of the oldest students there (well, you know, as far as “normal-aged” students go). I don’t recognize NEARLY as many people around school!
This is my first fall without back to school… I miss it!
There are students all over campuses over here, too, and I agree, it’s fun to reminisce and project feelings onto their experiences. I must admit, I didn’t super love college at the time (I only about semi-loved it), but I do think back on it fondly now.
[P.S. Found you through 20-SB. :)]
I was working on campus today and yesterday (move in days) promoting my two organizations and the freshmen are SO funny to watch. They seriously crack me up…they look so small (I know, I know…they are only 3 years younger than me) and I love them walking around with their parents.
I also didn’t realize how amazing college was until it was nearing its end. I wish I took fuller advantage of those years, instead of keeping a boyfriend throughout and occupying most of my time with him. But we can all look back and wonder “what if we had the chance to do it again?”
We had freshman move in late last week on our university campus. I always feel sorry for the freshman whose parents make employees pose for pictures or video tape the RA giving the student the key to their dorm.