Out of Place

Yesterday evening, I drove to Fort Worth to see how long it would take, if I were going to class. I was hoping to do what I do, which is scope out where I'm supposed to go, ahead of time. Driving (or walking) around looking for where I'm supposed to be when I have time constraints causes me much anxiety.

It was cold, the wind was blowing and I was not dressed to be walking around outside with the sun down. I went into the bookstore to get out of the wind and because it was the only place that was open.

I felt every.second of my nearly 34 years. Walking around buildings that all look the same, identified only by initials and limited maps available to decipher made me realize I may be woefully out of my depth. And at a junior college! That was not a good feeling.

I remember my first foray into college. I was a Sam Houston State University Bearkat. Eat 'em up, 'Kats! I wasn't very successful while I was there. I was your standard issue Finally-Away-From-Home-Lose-Her-Mind college student. I knew a guy there everyone called "Grandpa". He was the oldest guy there. He was only 30...

Yesterday, I felt every bit the mother of 4 children.

Then I got home and thought I'd check my campus email, and realized in addition to submitting my transcripts, I also have to submit a Transcript Evaluation Request. And in January, evaluating my transcripts will take 6-8 weeks. Oh, and my grant may be cancelled if it's not done. And the email was sent December 7. Good grief.

A phone call this morning put my mind at ease, mostly. But then I was told I needed to submit my high school transcript and proof of graduation...they really care about that?

College is a young man's game, for sure.