The air was cold that day. It was raining and exceptionally depressing. Clouds graced the sky, only to deny the sunlight from shining down on our beautiful green Earth. It was early May, and anticipation for summer and eighth grade graduation was approaching rapidly, so joy filled the air, despite the weather.
It was that day that my parents made the suggestion that summer school might be a good idea for me. That’s right. Summer school, which would start only two weeks after school let out. Sure, I was excited to start high school, but by no means that excited.
After my parent’s suggestion became a request, I signed onto a class of summer school, the summer between eighth and ninth grade. I was only 14.
I vowed it would never happen again until one day in January, when I began dozing off during a lecture. If I do this every week until next December, I’d be done. Done.
Back up a little bit before you get on my case about this. This was not planned.
When I transferred here last July, one of the first friends I met was taking a full load that summer. I asked her why and she said, “so I can graduate early.” What was she thinking?
Now I know. Eager to graduate. Continue on with what life has in store for me.
I mean, it’s not like I plan on graduating and then using my degree to sit on the couch all day watching “Full House” re runs like I do now instead of going to class.
Well, to make a long story short?classes matched up, the adviser said I was good to go, I forced my way into the summer and fall courses and guess what? I’m on schedule.
I realize there are critics out there with an endless number of questions. In fact, here are the most frequently asked questions so far from friends, family, co-workers, religious advisers, etc.
Q: Are you really that excited to see what life has planned for you?
A: Yes. Being in school has limited me to be able to go out there and really guess what’s actually going to happen with my life. I had a dream a few weeks ago that I played professional hockey in Quebec. This may be a sign of what’s to come.
Q: School is exciting and fun. Ever thought of graduate school?
A: Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never been anti-school. Graduate school is a thought, definitely. I mean, “Campus Newspaper Feature Writer” can only take up so much space on a rsum. I think I’ll probably need more if I ever want to be a CEO of a big company or a professional hockey player.
Q: If a train left Los Angeles at 8 a.m. heading towards New Jersey and a second left New Jersey at 9 a.m. heading towards Los Angeles, where would their paths cross?
A: Mind you, there is a reason why I’m a communication major and not a brainiac like my dad. However, I do know that if these two hockey teams met in the playoffs, New Jersey would manhandle Los Angeles.
Q: So what are you going to do after you graduate?
A: Let me start by saying I’ve heard this question one too many times and instead of giving you the five-minute version, here goes the two second version: whatever I want.
Shall I expand?
I understand that there is a need for people in the world who know a lot. I’m ready to be in this world of people who know a lot. I have three friends (count ’em? three) who are graduate students in math, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to turn into a math whiz like them. And I understand that.
It’s how I make use of what I know and love. Therefore, whatever I want to do is what I will do with my degree. Get a job? Absolutely.
The more in-depth reason I decided to take summer courses is because I don’t want another summer job that I’m going to have to quit three months later because of school. I want the next full time job I get to be permanent.
No, I’m ready to use what I learned through earning my degree in the real world. And I learned more than just how to make coffee and how to pull all-nighters. I learned how to communicate.
I plan on using these communication techniques on the ice when I’m a big shot NHL star. Instead of hitting an opponent I’m angry with, I’m going to sit down with him on the bench and assess the present situation. We’ll go ahead and identify our two goals and then identify both the positive and negative consequences of the alternatives. Finally, we’ll make a decision on the best way to deal with our anger toward each other.
I’m going to use my degree. I’m going to have fun with it. I can bring a new perspective to the game of hockey, and when my knee finally gives out for good, I hope the “Full House” gang will still be waiting for me on daytime television. I mean, what television family communicates better?