I
sometimes have trouble experiencing the called-for emotions that certain life
events and stages are supposed to evoke, but this year I definitely feel like a
senior. Watching all the freshmen come in, confused and carried away and very anxious
to please, I realize just how far I’ve come. Now I’m the one giving advice and
directions and (quasi-) wise counsel.
I don’t
know how many people shared my college experience, but I don’t think it’s
uncommon. Freshmen year, I was doing hard things and studying all the time.
Sophomore year (the half that wasn’t study abroad) I was doing about the same,
not so much because I was excited, but because I needed to get it done.
Freshmen year was overwhelming. Sophomore year was – well, kind of drudgery for
a while there. Both leave the image of a bleak, gray existence – always winter
and never Christmas.
Study
abroad turned everything upside-down, and that summer was the turning point. My
junior year was full of sunshine and smiles and friends; I wasn’t afraid to
take easier classes, and I was putting more effort into fewer
extra-curriculars. Each stage of school for me has been the same – neutral to
glum for the first year or so, but progressively better, until the final years
were some of the best of my life.* So it’s been here – at least, I hope the
trend continues, but so far I seem on track for a good, not-too-stressful year.
Why am
I in such a cheery mood? Well, for one, I just got my grades back from my
summer courses – Pass with Honors and an A+ in my business courses and seminary
course, respectively. More generally, though, I once again have a single room
to myself, but this time it’s the size of a double – two closets, two windows,
and lots of space. Also, I’ve finally learned a little homemaking, so I have my
loose leaf tea and my tables and my decoration and my books to keep me company.
The only thing that I don’t have is air conditioning, but it’s usually not a
problem after the first couple of weeks. At the moment, I’m just sleeping
without bedding and with the windows open.
What am
I up to for the semester? Well, for Harvard, I’m taking my thesis tutorial
(more details later), logic (very math-intensive), American Government (general
education requirement), and Roman Empire (because apparently, despite my major
in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Harvard thinks I lack exposure to
classes on “Societies of the World”). I may also be auditing a German class –
that’s still in the works. In ROTC, I’m taking advanced Navigation with the rest
of the seniors, and for Seminary I’m taking Old Testament. I’m excited; it may
sound like a lot, but I think it’s a good level of challenge. The spring
semester should be a little easier.
Besides
classes, I’m taking on my role in ROTC as Command Master Chief, overseeing
discipline and morale. ROTC doesn’t start until next week, so I’m not sure how
much time that’s going to take. And in Christian Impact, I’m both leading the
Worship Team (which has already kicked off, and for which I have many plans) and
co-leading a LIFE Group (which will start in a week or two). I’m pretty excited
about those, as well. And finally, over the summer I finally had time to get
into a serious workout routine; I’m fitter now than I think I’ve ever been in
my life. So I intend to keep working on that.
Overall, then, the year looks like
it will hold little in the way of drudgery and much in the way of exciting
plans and responsibilities. It’s possible I’ll look over this in a couple of
months and laugh ironically – ‘if I’d only known’ – but at the moment, it seems
like this last year of school might be the best yet. I’ll keep you posted!
*Obviously, these are generalizations, but if you want to
look up the primary sources, my weekly journal is right here!
Pictures: I wasn't able to get my summer photos to load for my last post (thank you to my parents for filling the gap with theirs), so they're included here, too, which makes for - well, a lot, so enjoy!
San Diego:
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