Thoughts on Returning to School

 

When I graduated from Indiana Wesleyan in the spring of 2000, I said I was done with school. I had powered my way through 13 years of regular school and four years of undergrad, and I was brain-tired from learning.

                To be truthful, I really didn’t love learning back then. I never learned to love it at any stage through my college graduation. School was something I endured, not something I enjoyed.

                In the last twenty-five years, my perspective on learning has changed. I’ve come to love it, even though I haven’t pursued it in degree-seeking ways over those years. I’ve taken classes online, read books, and signed up for workshops and courses here and there.

                And now, in the next few days, I’ll be returning to school officially. I cleaned off my learning desk (not to be confused with my working desk) in the spare room. I printed my acceptance letter and first schedule and hung them up over my desk. In my best handwriting, I started writing in my journal that I purchased to capture my heart-lessons. I set up my profile on the school’s portal page.

                I hope my mind is limber enough to think deeply and absorb life lessons about things like theology and ancient languages. I hope my calendar is clear enough to sit with reading and assignments. I hope the ideas flow freely when they need to.

                Someone asked me the other day if I’m excited or nervous.

                Yes.

                I’m excited to learn. I’m excited to do something I never thought I would do in my lifetime. I’m excited to see what God teaches me – academically and spiritually – along the way.

                I’m nervous that it will be a deeper struggle than I can imagine. I’m nervous that I won’t be able to conquer the language study.

                Every adventure should contain a little excitement and a little healthy anxiety, right? Balance.

                Here’s to a great start!