My First Week

The first week of the semester is always pretty rough. There’s new schedules, a new bus route, a new wake up time, and lots of scary professors that look down at you from their giant podiums and declare war against you.

I say war because regardless of what kind of face you put on a teacher, if they hand out a piece of paper with tests on in and large amounts of homework that put a wrench in your weekend plans and cause you to lose sleep, then it’s war. Sure, sometimes it’s a bit less difficult, more of a congress-authorized military engagement, but no matter how you spin it, it’s a battle.

Much like in war, there are moments, perhaps when the game plans are being explained or everyone’s taking the afternoon off to watch a new season of the Office, when silence is expected. I’ve never been very good at those though moments though. I like a bit of chatter. In fact, in one of my classes this week, I thought it would be a good time to go ahead and catch up with an old high school chum. But of course, the professor, likely a blood relative of Benito Mussolini, did not appreciate that. He went ahead and stopped the lecture and asked me and S to stop talking. In front of 700 kids. Via his microphone. So much for keeping a low profile.

Like soldiers, I also have to learn the fastest modes of transportation. For a huge campus like Michigan State, that means the CATA. My roommate (platoon member, if you will) drew out a bus schedule for me and told me where to go, when to get on, and when to get off. I departed class and thought I followed her directions. But instead I managed to take the wrong bus. Twice. In a row. It took me an hour to get home. I’d be ashamed of this if I didn’t find it so ridiculously pathetic that it’s just funny.

I was enrolled in five classes, but I dropped one because I felt that the 4:10 to 5:30 time frame was interfering with my nap schedule. I think it’s important to keep my priorities in order, no matter how intense life gets.

The next few months of battle are undoubtedly going to be difficult. But at least I have this glorious blog to express my deep and important thoughts. I appreciate your future camaraderie.