New Student Syndrome

Wow. After seven years at one institution, you really forget what it's like to be a new student. You forget how overwhelming it is to walk around an unfamiliar campus, as huge crowds mill around you, everyone else knowing where to go. To sit by yourself, listening to other people's conversations around you, because you came way too early for class, and you don't know the campus or other people well enough to have anything better to do. At least last time I was starting with the majority of my high school graduating class, along with Ky's high school graduating class. I knew someone in most of my classes, and got together with others between times. I walked around for half an hour and didn't see a single familiar face, and that was strange to me. I felt like I was at school, and my mind kept playing tricks on me, where I kept thinking I saw people I knew. I was glad when it was time for German to begin.

However, after the overwhelming first bit, the rest of my day was a triumph! I discovered that I'm half a semester ahead of the rest of my German class, and was excited to realise how much of that work at home I've retained. That did plenty for my self-confidence. Then, I had a meeting with Dr. Supervisor, and he likes all of my plans for classes! In fact, he thinks I ought to take this German class for credit, because it could boost my GPA, and was impressed by how far along I am in my German. Then, we had fun putting together ideas for my reading list. I pretty much ran home, after that.

Tomorrow I have Graduate Student Orientation. Maybe I'll meet people there.

As an added bonus, I came home to discover that Chris had fixed all the problems with my computer and our router (phoning all kinds of support lines), and then I got phone calls from Brandy, reporting a very successful ultrasound, and Rebecca, inviting Chris and me out for breakfast on Saturday!

Today is a good day. I'm going to be okay, and I'm going to come to the place where the school will feel like home.