It was only when I sat down at work this morning and looked at my calendar to make sure I'm on top of things that I realized not only is today the last day of classes for this semester (which means I get a little more time to focus on writing my final papers and studying for my final exams, oh, plus that little thesis thing) but it's (Gods willing) my last day of (academic) classes EVER!
I have been in school since I was 5 years old. I am now 28 - turning 29 in 4 weeks - and only just now finishing the *class* portion of my life. Still have to finish the thesis and do the ridiculous paperwork and Trail of Ludicrous Hurdles and Hoops(TM) before I can graduate, but knowing I'm "done" with classes forever is a wonderful and strange feeling.
Sure, this means that the pressure is on to get a "real job" where I won't have summer or winter vacations, no spring break, and I hear you start with something measly like 10 vacation/sick days combined for a full year...but to only have ONE job with ONE boss (instead of three classes with three professors and a thesis chair who all think they should be your #1 priority, plus your boss because you're not rich and can't survive without three jobs on the side) with ONE set of goals per month/year/period...sounds heavenly!
Of course it'll be difficult. Duh. Just not as difficult as grad school. For the record, anyone who says they enjoyed grad school are either masochists, lying, delusional, or have forgotten what it's really like. Or they got a crap degree at a crap university and never had to suffer for it.
My to-do list has gotten so short. Tantalizingly short, in fact. Of course "study for tests" takes more than one day, so it's going to stay on there until the tests are taken, but it WILL be off in a week or so. Same with my essays. And I have this weekend completely free from work or projects or anything! I can curl up in my snuggly flannels inside my thermal sleeping bag (because I'm miserly as all get out and keep my thermostat at 65F) and type to my little heart's content without having to venture outside into the rain and chill predicted for the next two weeks, or really, venture any farther than the bathroom or the kitchen for a glass of water.
I can't wait for Christmas!
