Today marks my return to school.  In 2001, I finished with my BS in Engineering and declared myself done forever.  This evening, I will walk through the hallowed halls of academia to try, try again.  One of our family friends is starting her undergraduate studies at Mercer this week and I was thinking about the difference between her approach to school and mine.  Which then led me to ponder the differences between my various “First Days” of school.  Here’s what I came up with…

-> In the early years, my big decision was what kind of lunchbox (and matching thermos) I would take with me that year.  In high school, a lot of emphasis was placed on the new fashion.  In college, I worried more about getting to class a little early to scope out the perfect seat.  Now, I’m more worried that I’ve forgotten so much of my undergraduate courses that I’ll be lost.

-> In elementary school, my supplies (crayons and scissors) magically appeared at my desk.  In high school, I helped pick out what was needed and my parents paid for it.  In college, I spent the summer hitting up the sales at the office supply stores so that at the start of the year, I had clearly-labeled, white, 3-ring binders for every class (OCD, anyone?).  This time, I’ll probably just grab a pad of paper and a pencil from the office supply closet on my way out the door.  I hope that back-packs and trapper-keepers aren’t required.

-> Lunch was defined by the type of lunchbox (and matching thermos -see, it was a big decision) that I had when I was a wee lad.  By high school, I was buying lunch and trying to get the milk that others didn’t want to drink.  (Seriously, how was that little carton suppose to quench my thirst?!  Luckily, kind folks like Alana and Amanda helped this poor, growing boy by donating their milk to me.  Because of you, girls, I have the physique that I have today….just think what I would look like without your help.)  In college, I grabbed a cheap, unhealthy meal wherever I could.  Now, I’ll….well, that one hasn’t changed since college.

-> In elementary school, I was there because I had to be.  It was just a fact of life.  In high school, I realized a lot more of the social aspects of the scene.  I devoted a little time to studying.  In college, I really wanted to be done in four years, so I studied a little more.  I met some really cool people there and forged some deep friendships.  This time around, I’m really looking at school differently.  I see these courses not as requirements for a degree (though they are), but as tools that can assist me in what I do.  I hope that this outlook isn’t detrimental.  I got through high school and college just fine by doing the bare minimum (and sucking-up to teachers).  I hope that taking and interest in my course work doesn’t hurt my grades!

So, here I go….off to school.  I still hope to make some friends.  I hope that my teacher is nice.  I hope that my pencils don’t break.  But most importantly, I hope that my dream about showing up to class with no pants on doesn’t come true.  Apparently, I’m still on probation from the time when that really did happen.