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Monday afternoon. My last class of my first day of school had just ended. I had my backpack over my shoulder. My blue Detroit Tigers hat blocked the sun from my eyes as I walked towards my car.
I did it. I’m doing it. I actually quit my job and went back to school full-time to pursue a “calling” on my life…to invest my energy, time, and efforts into the things that I’ve become passionate about. I really did it.
I lack the writing skills to put my exact feelings of excitement and unbelief into any sentences that would do any justice at all.
My English Composition teacher and I don’t see eye-to-eye. “If you’re an experienced writer, any point that a non-experienced writer would need 5 paragraphs to explain, you should write 7-8.”
Sorry, Teach, I disagree. I subscribe to the “say more by writing less theory.” But hey, what do I know? The military taught me a phrase/concept that I’ll soon be forced to reuse: shut up and color. “You want 7-8 paragraphs, ma’am? You got 7-8 paragraphs.”
I feel different. I’m old. I feel like I understand my teachers…why they say what they say and do what they do. I’ve served in the military, lived overseas, and been in the “real world” (if there is such thing) for 8 years. College makes sense to me this time around. I smiled practically the entire day on Monday.
Listen, friends…life is waaaay too short to continue down this path of boredom, mediocrity and settling that you might currently be on. Make a responsible decision to pursue your passion and find your purpose. In my opinion, anything less and you’re cheating yourself. You’re cheating the rest of us too. We could all use more people doing what they’re passionate about.
I’m satisfied. Although I’ve just begun my pursuit, the freedom and joy that comes along with knowing that you’re doing what you were born to do is a feeling in a category of its own.
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Did your English Composition teacher give a reason for that comment. I dribble word after word onto the page but it doesn’t make me a good writer. I was always taught that conciseness was a good thing. Say what you mean to say then get out….Not that I actually do that.
I completely agree with you that you should pursue your passion. Go for it.
Also that real world experience will make you a guru on campus. No-one can look down at you because you’ve been there and lived it. You’ve chosen to go to college rather than followed the path laid out before you by parents, peers and educators. Make the most of it.
I went online and found a high school website that gives course indicators for its reading and writing courses. It was really interesting.
This high school offered 4 “levels” of reading and writing courses. The lower levels required 5 paragraphs for essays and open ended questions. The highest level required 7-8 paragraphs for the same question. That level “is designed for the most dedicated and intellectually curious students.”
Sounds like Teach might be on to something.
Here is the website for those who are interested:
http://www.wakefield.k12.ma.us/highschool/web_highschool/web_highschool_guidance/
Go to the “2008-2009 Program of Studies”…pg 7 of the document.
awesome Bill! Glad that your first day went well, and we won’t have to read a post today that you were kicked out!
I didn’t think we would
Congratulations on going back to school. Something I wish I had done but haven’t… yet. Not enough time in the day plus I prefer spending time with the kids. I will probably do what my father did and go back after the kids are out of the house. 10 more years and counting.
Way to go, Bill! I’m glad the first day was so good, and I invite you to rediscover the joy of this post around midterms and finals.
Congratulations!
I know exactly what you mean when you say “college makes sense to me this time around.” I went back to school when I was 26. I was the “old guy” that always read the assignments and asked questions - because I “wanted” to learn.
It’s a great experience when you are there because you have a vision for your life. Enjoy it.