I know. Those of you sitting on that side of the desk are rolling your eyes and cursing at me. This is the most stressful time of the year for students: finals are here, papers are due, if you work retail this is the least-fun season, you're trying to figure out exactly what you have to get on the remaining assignments to get the grade you want. And I'm not belittling all that. I'm old, but I'm not so old that I don't remember what it's like.
But I also know that next week you will experience what I still contend is one of the best feelings in life.
One of my most enduring memories of college occurred at the end of exam week the first semester of my second year at UMSL. My last final was Calc III. It was a five-hour class, so the exam was three hours long. The final was scheduled for something like 3:00 in the afternoon, which meant the sun was shining when I went into the final, but it had set by the time I finished. As I walked in the dark from Clark Hall to my car, down one hill and up another, I felt everything lifting from my shoulders. There was no more homework. There was nothing to study for. No more exams. No more papers. Even if I wanted to do some work, I couldn't--there was nothing to do.
And that is one of the best feelings you'll ever have.
When a Phone Was Just a Phone!
11 hours ago
Agreed! Having gone to college some 2000 miles away from home, I remember the same feeling PLUS the additional thought, "Tomorrow, I fly home to see my fam and friends!!!!" It was always such an awesome, warm, exhilarating feeling. That, despite the bitter cold and wind of Rexburg, Idaho.
ReplyDeleteSo eloquently put!! I have to agree - that IS the best feeling in the world. Thanks for the perspective. Guess I'll just have to stay in school forever to continue to acheive that semesterly natural "high" ;-)
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