We took our daughter to her college orientation late last week. I was struck by how the idea of college seemed to excite me maybe even more than my daughter. I’m listening to these info sessions about class selection, dorm life, clubs on campus, and study abroad opportunities. Shit, it made me want to go back to college.
I did have the traditional college experience for my freshman year at Auburn University. It was fun, it was different, it was new. But I don’t know that I appreciated the experience as much as I probably should / would now. The freedom that a college experience provides is pretty special, looking at it from my eyes now. The freedom to explore. The freedom to focus on learning as your full time “job”. Hell, we sat in an info session where a guy described his 11-month experience in South Korea, because he just wanted the experience. Image that now. At 42 (almost 43 now), that sounds amazing!
I find myself jealous of my own daughter and the upcoming experience(s) she’s going to have. It’s like the world is open to her like it will (seemingly) never be again. Want to go on a random date with someone you just met in History class yesterday? Why not?! Want to go to a concert the university is sponsoring? Let’s do it! What about a semester in Italy while you study Italian? Perfect!
Like I said, jealous. Who knows, maybe I’m giving short shrift to retirement. It’s getting to be closer than college to me at this point!
