I took my last final exam tonight. Going back to school is so different when you are a grown up. Signing up for grad school seemed like the right thing to do at this point in my life. Looking around at my colleagues, I was young and bright, it should be no problem for me. Or so I thought....
Dude, I'm surrounded by these young college grads who use all these words like Blackboard and jpegs and g's of this and that. I thought I was tech savvy and up to times, until the first day of class, I look around and I'm the only one with my black binder, printed copy of the syllabus and what - what's that - a writing pen! All the other hip students are plugging in their laptops, hunting for wireless, and tapping away on their keyboards.
Three years later and still in grad school, I've not caved to the lap top purchase. Most of the time my classmates are surfing the web and sending off emails during class anyway. I see a few taking notes or hunting up a website cross referenced by the professor. But I have to say I've not done too bad with my ancient studying tools.
Unfortunately, one professor gives essay exams and allows you to type your test out in document form and email to him. I was the only one scribbling out my test in old fashioned manuscript. But ha ha, highest grade on the exam went to the grandma with the pencil. In yo' face, hipsters! And I didn't even have spell check.
This past semester I had a semester long group project - yeah, it stunk. But the first night we met, a student suggested we go to a restaurant with Wi-Fi to work on our project. Glancing at me and with a sigh.... oh yeah, we have to go to the computer lab, for grandma.... He didn't really say grandma, but I know he meant it.
When I was in college, going to the computer lab was no biggie. Because that was where everyone else was. It was like all night hangout in the newest and most tech savvy building on campus. Going to the computer lab now is like going in the back alley to make a illegal purchase. It's dark and gloomy. Cup rings and candy wrappers and sticky substances line the tables of 8, yes 8 lonely little computers. There's a damp mustiness smell that infiltrates your nose and makes your eyes water. The smell brings back memories of an old funeral home my grandmother worked at. s c a r y . . . .
Times change. And so does life, right? School? I'm almost done. Two more semesters and I'll punch my last time card at that place. My reward? Three letters on the end of my name and a whopping three percent raise. Please, no gasping or fainting.
Tonight my final final of the semester. Essay exam. Professor says, "tonight, turn off your lap tops, every one's writing this one out by hand." The students all looked terrified and frantically looked at one another. Half of them had to borrow a pen. I leaned back in my chair, tapped my pencil with confidence, and mumbled under my breath to that amazing man I call Professor,
"Bring it on, Bring it on..."
3 comments:
That was so awesome! I remember that Christy was one of few who had a computer in her room, and Carri and used a word processor to do our papers...and without the computer lab I would not have met david, where would i be now....times they are a changin' love you!
Girl, I remember my good ole days at TU - we still used pen and paper for notetaking, and email and chat was just getting started back then (early 90's.) I can't imagine sitting in class with a bunch of kids with laptops. I'd be a grandma right along witcha!
Allison - I think a lot of romances bloomed in the computer lab. :)
Kim - When did we get so old?? Thanks for stopping by my blog! Hope you have a good holiday!
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