Pondering as I sit indian-style in a moderate-sized cinderblock-lined alcove, I wonder what my first week at college has taught me. That, and I think I should have had a burger instead of that pork barbacoa wrap. As I quickly study the varying looks of concentration that the college students around me exhibit, I start wondering if they're also sneaking weird looks at me typing. Meta.
College is kind of like going back to Kindergarten. My reasoning?
1. It's your own schedule again. I mean, Ms. Bindergarten of teaching fame had general day layouts, but the actual activities involved and the level of participation were always up the the students themselves. Yes, I could fingerpaint, but I could also get out "Trouble" for a rollicking good time. Do they still make that game? I always was the blue one.
2. Snack Time! Except you buy it yourself. Once again, I think anything would have tasted better than that wrap.
3. School no longer lasts forever and a half. I do about 3-4 hours of class a day, just like I did in Kindergarten.
4. You can watch TV all day and your mom doesn't get mad at you for not doing homework. In fact, nobody gets mad at you. For some reason that actually makes me study MORE, not less.
5. Once again, I have no car. Remember the limited mobility of your elementary years? In college it comes back. The only difference is that the teenage stranger you were supposed to avoid now lives with you.
6. Your friends are usual based on proximity or previous experiences. You're encouraged to make friends within your ward, have Family Home Evening with them, invite each other to activites, etc. There really isn't much room to be making friends outside of who you see on a daily/weekly basis, so you stick with what you know. Obviously this has potential to change once more student involvement activities begin, but for now things are about the same.
7. Nap time is back, and that means unless you time your naps very well, your roommate, or (napping buddy, for the creepy) is most likely not wanting to go to bed the same time as you. Cue trying to sleep at 10:30 and still waking up tired.
8. I'm about to be in Political Science, so I better cut this short.
Do you think College is like Kindergarten? What other, if not better, analogies can you come up with? I'd love to hear from you, so please comment. Also, that quiz works, you just have to highlight the answers.
Much love,
Matthew Beck