Last Monday marked the start of my final semester at Saint Martin's University. My last classes. My last labs. My last everything there. It feels almost like senior year of high school all over again. And I'm not quite sure how I feel yet about being done.
I'm taking Organic Chemistry 2, which both bores and confuses me to death. Also, Pre-Calculus, which is a flashback to junior year of high school. Then there's Interpersonal Communication (a requirement for PT schools), and Senior Seminar, where I carry out my Senior Research Project (more on that in another post). I am also taking a Catholicism class, even though I don't need the extra credits. It's taught by our University Chaplain, Father Benedict Auer, O.S.B. He is who says our Student Liturgy Mass every Sunday evening, and I absolutely love listening to him. He is such an intelligent, experienced, and most importantly, open individual. I can talk with him about a wide range of topics, and feel at complete ease. He also teaches the RCIA class I am taking. I figured this class would tie in well with my RCIA class, and I wanted to develop a further knowledge of Catholicism and the Church.
For the past million years (okay, maybe not literally a million years, but it DOES feel like it) I have been waiting for this time to come. The time of graduating with my degree, and possibly being done with school forever. But now, its snuck up on me (yes, school is a very sneaky thing), and I realize how close I really am to being done. April 3oth will be my last day of class, and then I have finals, and then come May 9th, I'll make that traditional walk down the main staircase, across the Pavilion parking lot, and into Marcus Pavilion. Just like it has been done for many, many years.
And then what happens? I have applied to physical therapy school, but am still not sure I'm ready to enter another three years of college. I'm burned out on school, homework, tests, teachers, and studying. I feel like I want the opportunity to focus on other things in my life more, without the burden of school.
But I also worry about not going back. Will I miss it? More than likely. Regret the decision? Quite possibly. Will I enjoy life free from school stress? Absolutely.
So what is the right decision then? I guess that is still yet to be determined....
The Ten Year Challenge
4 years ago
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2 comments:
Hey Maranda,
I by no means want to bias your decision, but I thought I would share my experience with you. Like you when I was done with college I was so burnt out on school, homework, being pennyless, etc. But I have to tell you it is so hard to find time to go back. I was fortunate that I was able to get my project management cerification, but it was very hard with a full time job, a family, and a home (even before Sam).
There is never going to be an ideal time, but it just seems to get harder to balance all life puts out in front of us.
Know you have our love and support no matter what you choose and we are so very proud of you and all that you have done!
Hey there. I love reading about all the awesome things you're always involved in and I too am excited to hear what you have planned next. (I'm also interested in what your senior research project is about and about your RCIA classes, so keep posting!) :)
I remember being excited to be done with school as well. Now, I miss it. I have always thought about going back and wanted to get my Masters in Psychology (I would love to be a school counselor and work more with high-school-aged students). I agree with Amy that it seems like so much more of a huge hurdle to cross now than it did back then (even before Emma). Education is such a privilege, even if it is sometimes a very difficult, exhausting privilege.
Is there a way you could do it part-time, so you could pay a little bit more attention to the other parts of your life while still working toward that PT school goal? It might stretch out the time it takes to finish, but you could do a semester or two part-time to give yourself a little break while you're still working toward the end goal.
Anyway, keep us posted. And send us a graduation announcement! We'll want to come to your graduation party, too! :)
Hope to see you soon. Keep up all the awesome work.
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