Fifteen Credits

I tell that joke whenever people ask me what college was like, but it’s a joke only insomuch as it wasn’t the best part of my life. The ten years part was very real. But at least it was only 10 years when you add in my two years of graduate school. That makes it better, right?

What I miss about college:

* Wearing sweatpants every day, all day

* Creating my schedule at the beginning of every semester

* Walking across campus(es)

* Intellectual (and sometimes not even remotely intellectual) conversations during class

What I don’t miss about college:

* Professors who made me buy their $100 books

* Classes with know-it-alls

* Applying for financial aid every semester

* Trying to get my credits transferred (You know what I’m talking about!)

The real glory of college for me came from knowing I wasn’t yet in the real world, but within the community of the college, on the campus, I was. Going to college was in essence living a microcosm of real life where there were social hierarchies, businesses, friends, acquaintances, a social scene, and people giving me advice about my life. I met many people in college who helped me figure out who I am, and for that I am eternally grateful. College also helped me to branch out, to not be so insular. It taught me about getting up on a soapbox and being proud of my ideas and values.

My main problem was that even though the experience gave me so much, it also took something away from me in the process. Namely, credits! You see, I transferred twice during my collegiate career, and both times they stole credits from me that I had duly earned and verified. The first time I wasn’t ready for it, and I didn’t put up much of a fight, but the second time I was prepared, and I only lost three credits. And I fought hard for those three, but in the end they won that battle, but they did allow twelve other credits they originally said they wouldn’t.

So, while college wasn’t quite the 10 best years of my life, it was an education, in more ways than one. And we all need that, right?

Sam

Oh, and I finished at Utica College for the last three and a half years. Okay, okay, it was close enough to 10 years.