Yesterday was a whirlwind, but a wonderful one at that. In between meeting the six other members of my “cohort” (other students who are coming into the program with me), over 30 professors and teaching faculty, and carrying on the “Hi, what is your name, where are you from” conversations, it was a busy eight hours and I was exhausted when we got home. Happy exhausted, though.
Campus is quiet, but in that way that you know something beneath is rumbling up and getting ready to surface. Scared-looking freshmen walk around with their parents who are holding campus maps and trying not to cry. The bookstore is overstocked and proudly displaying signs that read “Get your U gear for half-price through this weekend!” Faculty are in their offices early, trying to get through mountains of papers before classes start next Tuesday. And I’m here early, trying to get caught up on the dozens of emails flooding in from people I don’t even know, buy a backpack and a few outstanding books for class, and figure out what in the world I’m going to say and do the first day of class a week from today.
Last night we had a happy hour at a bar just a block from the law school, one that we’d go with JPJD’s friends and fellow students over the last three years. From my seat I could see students walking into that dreaded place, hanging their heads in stress. JPJD picked me up just like I used to do for him. Now he’s the busy working lawyer and I’m the student. We both are loving the change.
This morning, as I walked into the Communication Studies building, my building, I felt a new sense of belonging. For a whole year I came to and went from class, wondering if someday I’d really be one of those who was here and here to stay. Now I am. It’s a bit frightening and overwhelming, but so exciting nevertheless.
More to come.
