My second childhood:
Being old and a student is so awesome. I feel like I’m learning for the first time. My resonance is happy because it means I’m free to embrace anything and ultimately accept or neglect ideas based on information rather than someone else’s ideas.
As a student at WSU in 1975, the campus food was dreadful! The cafeteria put powdered bleach on worn out veggies to refresh them. I know! I worked there, and quit in protest.
Nursing school in Florida and HIM class at VCU/MCV in Richmond, VA was a crazy march to profession. Juggling two full time jobs and then family plus job was overwhelming. No time to actually enjoy life on campus.
Now debt free (due to work) and basically living a poverty filled life (due to retiring to become a caregiver) (and riding myself of STUFF), I’m able to enjoy the here and now!
This means I can fake time to smell educational coffee, and generally enjoy just about everything else in life.
Millennials are fabulous. I love them. I hope you young students don’t embrace my earlier, fancier lifestyle; life isn’t a destination.
Even though it is a commuter school, this place has amazing opportunities for personal growth. Has anyone ever eaten in the cafeteria? I can tell you there is NO powdered bleach on the baby spinach or the salad bar. I’ve discovered Sour Patch Kids makes a great dessert following a hummus wrap with jalapenos.
Have you seen the show line up from the Drama Department? Coretta King, A Midnight Summer’s Dream and The Toxic Avengers are being offered!
The Clarion is a great place for students to express themselves. Why isn’t there a line out the door to students submitting complementary, poems, other arts, etc? It’s your paper!
Did you know the school offers boxing and scuba diving classes? Cooking classes? Holy cow!
Have you really noticed the student body? We’re a microcosm of the world! The diversity is amazing! I wish someone, anyone, would meet with me at lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Tartan Market. I want to learn about you! As many as possible. Learning is much more than books, lectures and tests.
Eighteen months ago, I moved from the culturally wonderful DC/Northern VA. Due to finances we moved to the most affordable place possible. Lovely neighbors, but all so very white. As a white person myself I fear becoming invisible I all that whiteness.
And since I’m a liberal, tree-hugging hippy, I’m the odd wo(man) out. I was the only one who wanted to go the women’s march in DC out of all those from my neighborhood. That was shocking to me. So, you millennials, we’re here in a protected environment. Perfect time to learn about all flavors of humanity. I’m pretty certain we’re all delicious.
Also, is there a campus ministry here? As a Quaker, I’m always wanted to learn more. A spiritual life is a for happen life.
I can get $10.00 dental care here at Sinclair. I’m a broken student! Yes.
Just yesterday, I heard about a young man emerging and playing a ukulele while sitting on the floor in Blair Hall. What a lovely song: It gladdened my heart.
The kindness and courtesy I see the young students display here on campus warms the spirit. There I have the term “snowflake” I pursue, knowing it is my generation and the gen Xers who created you. We worked so hard at producing you, we missed the boat in allowing you to fail and get back up. Failure is nothing. It’s what you do with that failure.
A fellow student just alerted me to the fact as a lifelong learner, one can use the pool of $20.00 a semester. How awesome is that? I did a triathlon at age 50 and swimming is my sport.
Afterwards, that is important. Develop tougher skin and resistance. Then, you won’t be worried about crowd size. Oversensitizing can keep you stuck in worry.
Is there a suggestion box in the cafeteria? No cream cheese in sushi! Jalapenos on the salad bar and sandwich condiment bar! Maybe when I complete my classes, I’ll get a job in the Tartan Market as a cook, cuisine advisor on setter outers.
This has been my first semester at Sinclair. So far the ride has been a joy.
Carolyn Eskew