Moving on up…Whether you want to or not
With school starting again I’ve been feeling a little blue. And over the last week I realized why.
No one ever tells you how strange it is to graduate from college.
When I “graduated” from elementary school I thought: “Yes! Finally. I’m going to be a teenager, and do lots of fun things. I will have more than one class a day! I’m finally too grown up for recess. And most importantly I am one step closer to high school and getting the heck out of this state!”
However, I soon realized middle school was hell. I basically think thought it was my personal purgatory before finally advancing to to high school. So when I graduated from middle school I thought “PRAISE JESUS! I’M OUTTA HERE! Bye bye uniform. Bye bye stupid people I don’t like. Bye bye teachers who get on my nerves and hello to the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Graduating from high school was the first time I felt like the “graduation” was an actual milestone. I was finally getting the heck out of the state and attending my top school to study my life-long interest and it was going to be great! All of the events and orientations and opportunities were right within my reach. I survived and my reward was getting one step closer to my dreams.
But I have to say as graduation from college approached…the same excitement I felt so many years prior was missing. True, I had nothing to look forward to. I didn’t have a job, hadn’t applied to grad school, didn’t have summer plans and had no way to pay the last two months of rent on my college apartment. I thought the stress and sadness just came with the fact that I was a goal driven person with no plan. But I now realize it is so much more.
Although I never really introduced myself as a student, being a student was my whole identity for about 18 years of my life. It defined my daily activities, my short term goals, my clothing choices, spending habits, everything. And now, I’m not THAT anymore. It’s a strange sensation. What do I do? What do I say I do? How to I act? What can I wear? Who am I?
Last night, I attended an alumni mixer/event for people in the tri-state area. Under normal circumstances, it wasn’t all that fun. But the fact that I got to see those familiar school colors, symbols, a few familiar faces and free dinner made it a good time. Most of the people there were about 5 years older and I posed this question to them: How do you adjust to not being a student anymore? Their answer? You don’t. So much for being older and wiser and providing some insight. Most went back to school for that very reason; they didn’t know how to not be a student anymore. Of course no one misses homework but they just plain ol’ missed being a student. I don’t plan to go back to school anytime soon, (and neither do my finances), but I hope before I do I get comfortable being whatever it is my new identity is. Being a student is great…but it doesn’t define me anymore, (other than the “I’m a student of life” way). I guess for right now I’m just an awesomely blessed person! And hopefully my back to school blues will disappear by Thanksgiving break.
3 TIMES Charming 
I can relate. Every September or basically every fall I get nostalgic . I remember back in the day of my undergraduate years just getting ready to start school and begin a new semester and all the opportunity it brings. But once I graduated I did’t have that. About 2 years after being out in the real world I tried to apply for grad school (didn’t get in) but I think the reason I tried was as you described above, I wanted to go to grad school to get back to being a student. because I was soooooo used to it for so long. I loved it (social gathering of similar and different intellectual minds) but I also hated it (the papers, those d*mn papers!!!!).
Recently I started volunteering for the alumni club for my school and I tell you every time I go back for homecoming I get so nostalgic. It is really hard for me to separate my student self and outside in the real world self. I can’t explain but I know you get what I mean. Like the alumni you met before said, you just never get over it you just come to terms it and deal with it the best you can. Best of luck to all of us alumni.
Thanks for the insight. It’s great to know I’m not alone! And I know what you mean, separating and defining real world me from student me is really a struggle. But I’m looking forward to the day when I can accept it and comes to terms with it.
You could always become a teacher. And. Never. Leave. School. Ever. EVER! lol!
I’ll pass lol