College Life Article

See, I've gone and done it agian. I promised you ninjas and then I get something else published. This will be the last time, I really, really promise. This is from the Nov. 17, 2008 ed. of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Education section.

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Life in a college town: CONFESSIONS OF AN OLDER COLLEGE STUDENT


By Cristina Sorrells
Special to the Sun-Gazette


When one thinks about it, going to college really is not all that difficult. You get your books, you got to class, you study, take a few tests, rinse, lather repeat for seven more semesters then, graduate. But then, you have to throw in—just for fun mind you—all of your teachers’ and fellow students’ varying personalities, bias, dependencies, habits, tics, and influences and suddenly, you are slogging through mud in improperly fitting hip-waders.

All that said, I really love going to college. I do—the mental challenges it provides me are sorely missed when I am not in school and I am not talking about summer or winter breaks. I am 27-years old, and before I came to Lycoming, I worked full and part-time at various jobs to pay for community college in New Jersey to get my basic classes out of the way so that I could start working on my major as soon as I arrived at a four-year school.

That process should have taken a nice neat two years, just as it did for my elder brother when he took his community college classes, before moving on to a four-year school. In my case, it took almost five years.

However, I made it to Lycoming. In August, I left my full time job with the State of New Jersey Health Department and became a “real” college sophomore.

To say the least, it has been a most interesting and entertaining experience. Even before I arrived, I began to realize that most college life is designed to accommodate and cater to the immature 18-year-old mind set, and I sometimes find myself arguing against the rules —“Can you make an exception in my case?” or “Are you sure I need to do that; I am a little past that stage.”

I still go to class, the same as my younger fellow students, but unlike many of them, by the time Friday evening comes, and my classes are finished for the week, all I want to do is sleep, not go out. I think my age is showing — go to bed early or stay awake and watch the 11 o’clock movie?

I admit, I will more often than not stay up — I am intimately familiar with the wrong side of 2 a.m. and I have found out that the view from my desk is amazing! It is also, as it turns out, a comfortable place to sleep.

I understand that Williamsport is full of fun things to do downtown, though the first time someone mentioned ‘First Friday’ to me, I had no clue what they were talking about.

I fully intend to look into First Friday and many other stores and events during the 2 ½ years that I am expected to be in the city.
Who knows, I might even go out every now and then and I might make an acquaintance or two. But I think I need a nap first.


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NEXT: EVERYDAY LIFE OF A NINJA!