Saturday 9 February 2013
Journey of a 44 year old student: Giant, Scary Leap
Journey of a 44 year old student: Giant, Scary Leap: Giant, Scary Leap As a mother of three going back to Varsity full time was an extremely scary, even a bit bizarre experience. However, I w...
Thursday 5 July 2012
Giant, Scary Leap
Giant, Scary Leap
As a mother of three going back to Varsity full time was an extremely scary, even a bit bizarre experience. However, I was determine to do it - not part time, but full time. I wanted to be a student again !!!
First day back at varsity was actually quite hilarious. Most of my lecturers was much younger than I was, with far less life experience. My classmates (my friends today) was the same age as my eldest son. As a matter of interest my eldest son was at the same varsity. He quickly changed his classes to evening classes, when he was faced with the prospect of bumping into his "mom" at varsity. I am sure this was guaranteed social suicide for my dear son.
Everything about Varsity was familiar, but also totally different. The classroom and lecturer concept was exactly the same as 25 years ago. The big difference to me was the students and obviously the lecturers.
I was totally shocked at how little respect was left in our territory system. A lecturer was addressed by his or her first name. Lectures was not professors anymore, just ordinary individual with a honors degree. Oooops this was a scary prospect.
My dress code changed very quickly. I was wearing jeans and "takkies" instead of my tailor suites, high heels and black stockings. This part of Varsity was liberating and actually fun. I replaced my Gucci hand bag with a laptop bag. It was weird at first to carry books with me and to follow a time table.
However, the days became weeks and the weeks months. Then came the exams.... O my word writing three hour long final exams and studying for them was really not my idea of fun. Waiting for the results was nearly as bad as giving birth.
I was presently surprised when I passed all my subjects for my first year with distinctions.
I am now in my second year and is now a seasoned student. It has been a humbling, yet educational experience. It was very import to do this with a positive and open mind.
I can recommend going back to varsity to ever 40 plus person. Don't let your responsibilities and fears stop you to get a certain tertiary qualification you always aspired to get...
As a mother of three going back to Varsity full time was an extremely scary, even a bit bizarre experience. However, I was determine to do it - not part time, but full time. I wanted to be a student again !!!
First day back at varsity was actually quite hilarious. Most of my lecturers was much younger than I was, with far less life experience. My classmates (my friends today) was the same age as my eldest son. As a matter of interest my eldest son was at the same varsity. He quickly changed his classes to evening classes, when he was faced with the prospect of bumping into his "mom" at varsity. I am sure this was guaranteed social suicide for my dear son.
Everything about Varsity was familiar, but also totally different. The classroom and lecturer concept was exactly the same as 25 years ago. The big difference to me was the students and obviously the lecturers.
I was totally shocked at how little respect was left in our territory system. A lecturer was addressed by his or her first name. Lectures was not professors anymore, just ordinary individual with a honors degree. Oooops this was a scary prospect.
My dress code changed very quickly. I was wearing jeans and "takkies" instead of my tailor suites, high heels and black stockings. This part of Varsity was liberating and actually fun. I replaced my Gucci hand bag with a laptop bag. It was weird at first to carry books with me and to follow a time table.
However, the days became weeks and the weeks months. Then came the exams.... O my word writing three hour long final exams and studying for them was really not my idea of fun. Waiting for the results was nearly as bad as giving birth.
I was presently surprised when I passed all my subjects for my first year with distinctions.
I am now in my second year and is now a seasoned student. It has been a humbling, yet educational experience. It was very import to do this with a positive and open mind.
I can recommend going back to varsity to ever 40 plus person. Don't let your responsibilities and fears stop you to get a certain tertiary qualification you always aspired to get...
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