September 16, 2004
the RBC
This is now only the second time since I was four years old that I will not be continuing with my formal education this fall. Back when I was in high school, I couldn't have cared less about classes. They were the last thing on my mind. I just wanted to see my friends after months apart. Who didn't?
In college, those two sentiments juxtaposed almost entirely. It's not that I didn't care about people all of a sudden. I just knew that it was neccessary to distance myself from certain social activities in order to get the (quality?) education my parent's were paying for. Nonetheless, I still met some great people at Lehigh and had the pleasure of examing some great minds in casual conversation and heated debate.
It's those informal chats among peers that I miss the most about the fall. Sure, I miss classes and even some of the professors but it's the interactions between students that are so fascinating. I really didn't get to know too many people while I was there but just watching, listening, and observing other students was interesting enough to keep me occupied between classes in the RBC. (Maybe I should have picked up a sociology degree while I was there, damn.)
NEway, the included photo is of the Rauch Business Center at Lehigh and it's where I spent MOST of my time on campus. It's a nice building but nothing special. Nonetheless, I miss it. The students, select faculty, the snack machines, the piles of oft-neglected and criticized Brown and Whites, the computer lab, the collection of round tables and all the times I spent there just taking it all in.
Consider this my salute to Kurt Vonnegut's graduation speach at Lehigh's graduation this past spring (where I watched my 2nd cousin, among other past classmates, graduate with highest honors on her way to med. school) ... paraphrasing ... if that wasn't nice, I don't know what is.
Posted by languorous at September 16, 2004 03:37 PMI miss school as well... Although I enjoyed my classes during high school, I certainly do not miss the classes from college. What I miss is being surrounded by people my age, and interacting with them (Especially living with people/friends my age). KB
Posted by: KB at September 17, 2004 12:54 PMNo doubt. I'd take the trade-off of difficult, long and annoying classes for living with and amongst my friends any day. Work makes me so exhausted that I do absolutely nothing during the weeknights- its pathetic.
I also do miss learning as well and i cannot wait to go to graduate school hopefully next year;for those of you I haven't spoken to, I've decided upon teaching.
See, for me, I always loved the experience while it was happening. People always say, 'take a minute- appreciate high school/college while you can, before its gone.' I DID appreciate it then, while it was happening and I miss it more than ever now.
I'd give anything to go back for a day to both high school and college- I'd love to complain that I have an annoying paper due... Much more than that I have an office meeting or patient phone conference any day.
So as it comes to be my second year of not having to return back to school in late/aug, early september, I've gotten used to it in a sense, but I will always yearn for the yester-years of my education.
Yeah, there are definitely days I sit and miss college. It would be nice to be in a group of people all my same age again. I like working at Eisenhards, its a good fit for me, and someday I hope to grow the business substantially. Right now, however its pretty much me and a bunch of people who are hesitant to do to much thinking on their own. My schedule is the same every day, and by the time I get home, I dont really want to go start some other project. So I can see where Tom, Robb, Scott, and many have pondered going to school for a few more years. Unfortunately with my standard of living, thats not really an option right now.
Posted by: Jon at September 17, 2004 06:09 PMAlthough I agree that being surrounded by friends was the best time of my life in high school, I do not miss it like I used to. I used to miss it all the time. It would make me sad. But time goes on and you start to realize that if you spend all your time in school learning, and never doing anything with the knowledge you really are just wasting space like the dumb asses in the world who really do nothing. I loved getting my masters degree and having stimulating conversation with people that I did not spend my days with at work, but now I am ready to use my new knowledge and make a difference and once I am satisfied with my work as a teacher, I will return to school and finish certification in administration and then I will be equally excited to go use my new knowledge. Although I know it is a dream of many to be in school all the time, if you do not take the time to go use your knowledge you might as well not be learning anything at all.
Posted by: Karen at September 18, 2004 01:10 PMYes I know I do not use enough punctuation in my writing. Try to get passed that as you read.
Posted by: Karen at September 18, 2004 01:11 PMHmmmm... I am slightly afraid to post... considering Tom is the COMMENT NAZI and he will probably erase it! There! I said it! Do with me what you will! :-)
A valid point by Karen. What good is obtaining knowledge if you waste it on the trivial. Knowledge, alone, is not power. It is only the potential for power.
Still-- equally important points by Kelly, Fredo, and Tex. Interaction with people of the same age is essential. I don't think I could handle spending 7 hours of my day with a bunch of snotty-nosed little bastards. :-)
Posted by: Robb at September 18, 2004 03:24 PM