Back on the Grind

Its the Monday before I have to head back to university, Grand Valley State University, to be exact. When I head back there on Tuesday night, I will be halfway back into my grind-mode mindset. Any college kid can attest to the fact that you have to get mentally prepared to re-enter the classroom after being away for three weeks. Its not as harsh as the three months of summer we endure after a full school year; its more like a watered down version.

The first step starts at home. Like most students, I (purposefully) haven't checked my email since the last day of finals. So, today I spent about two hours returning messages, apologizing about the loooooong delay. Most replies required looking at old paperwork and sifting through ancient emails. For some, I simply said "I don't recall what you mean. Can you remind me?" I do feel a bit bad about those. But, after it was all said and done, I had caught up enough to make it to the next step of getting back into grind-mode.

After updating all necessary correspondence, it is important to make an inventory of everything that needs to be done before the first day of classes. For me, I have a work function on Wednesday, I need to contact a nonprofit in Grand Rapids about a future school project, and I need to touch base with a professor about a paper I'm getting published. The list goes on and on. All these important tasks will make their way onto a list in order of importance. But don't get it confused: my vacation does not end until my work function on Wednesday so NOTHING will get done before then.

The last, and most depressing, step of the transition to grind-mode is actually getting ready to head back to my apartment in GR. That will include washing all the clothes I wore this week, packing everything neatly in the car, and making the 2 hour drive (alone, without a working radio). I am looking forward to this series of events the least. Visiting my friends and family back home is in the top 5 of My Favorite Things to Do, and leaving them all is wayyyyyy at the bottom. Suffice it to say that I will be dragging my feet to leave. But that will all be over once I turn the key to my apartment, put all my clean laundry back on hangers, and power up my laptop. At that point, I will officially be a student again.

I've been in college for about 5.5 years now, have obtained one degree already, and I'm working on my second now. Because of these things, I would call myself somewhat of an expert. I've been through my share of 15 credit semesters, final's week cram sessions, and overpriced coffee (that I've been programmed to think is good). Don't get me wrong: I love college. Short of actually having to go to class, I would stay there forever. But nothing beats the opportunity to eat something I didn't have to cook or pay for. In most cases, that only happens when I go home. The short lived visits (on average, about 3 days) are truly mini-vacations. There have even been instances when I leave my entire backpack in GR just to completely appreciate all that home has to offer.

When classes start again next Monday, this entire visit will feel like a dream. I'll be heading back to GR with some new diggs from Christmas and an extra couple pounds from Grandma's holiday cooking. These will be the only things I will have to remind me of the amazing holiday season I had this year.

Alas, there is nothing to despair about it all. The crucial series of events that will soon make me an Ohio resident is already in motion. The next four months will likely be a blur of computer screens and lectures. And I will trudge through them like I have the last 15 semesters at GVSU. And when its all over, and I drive away from Grand Rapids for the last time, I will surely remember all that college revealed to me.

The Toni that entered college in 2004 now exists only in photos. The Toni that will graduate in May 2010 will be a better, stronger, and happier woman.