Work/ School Balance

On Thursday, I went to my first class as a master’s student. I was terrified about being the oldest person in the class and everyone would judge me for it. I was afraid I would struggle with in person classes. I was just scared. I hadn’t been to in person class in almost 20 years. What was it going to be like? How much had it changed? How much have I changed?

Last Sunday, I went to the campus to get my student ID and see where my classroom was (I know, dork person here). I got lost finding the bookstore, but after about 45 minutes of searching, I gave up and asked someone, and found it. I got my ID and spent some money in the bookstore. I mean, I have to show my school pride, right?

So I then went to the building my class was in and couldn’t get in with my card. I’d waited, tried a few times, and had no luck. I did find an open door and went in (shouldn’t have done it, but I should have had access). So I walked around and found the room. Nothing to write home about, but it was a nice little room. I walked back to the bookstore to tell them about my card and you guessed it, I got lost again. They couldn’t figure out what was wrong with my card and suspected maybe it hasn’t had time to load into the system. I walked back to the building my class was in and my card worked. I got a lot of steps in that day. I think knowing where I was going helped my anxiety a little. My poor nephew has gotten so many stupid questions and updates over this because he’s currently enrolled at a university and can answer the questions. I think having someone to ask who is currently in college made things a little easier. I think it’s brought us a little closer, too.

So, first day. Well, it’s hard for me to leave work on time on a normal day. It was crazy busy that day, and I had no choice but to leave so I wasn’t late. I had to run home, feed my dog, let her out, eat, and change in 25 minutes. Not a lot of time. I managed, though. So I drove to the school, and Apple Maps took me to the dorms instead of campus. I was almost late for class, but I made it.

My fears were real. I’m the oldest person in the class. The teacher is either around my age or younger. The students were very nice, no judging, but it helps that I look at least 10 years younger than I actually am. Everything was good in class, I observed, even participated. There was the standard know it all person, but he still seemed nice. We then broke out into groups and that’s when things went wrong. I realized just how much of a generational gap there was between the other students and I. I didn’t know what they were talking about half the time. When I left I ended up calling my nephew and asking him about it.

I survived my first class. It was very interesting and I got a lot out of the class. I’m excited to see what more I’ll learn, but it’s going to be an adjustment. I’ll get there. My next class is on Monday and it’ll be the same thing, leaving work then going to class. I’m going to be exhausted on Tuesday because I won’t get home until almost 11 and have to get up early the next day for school.