I’m sitting in the Student Union of my new University, where I’ll begin work towards my Master’s degree in a mere THREE DAYS! The syllabi have me quite intimidated, but I have a light schedule this semester (9 credits, just to make me full time for financial aid purposes) so that I can get into the community, maintain my recovery, have time for studying, working, and self-care.
Thus far, I’m loving it. It already feels like home — which is saying something, given that it took me 26 or so years to consider my hometown “home.” I’ve found a job working 15 hours a week watching the son of a couple of professors. This is a really great set-up, because it means that if the school is closed for weather, I don’t have to be worried about getting to my job, because both parents will be home, too! That reduces my stress levels considerably, especially given that we don’t get a lot of snow where I come from, just slush, so driving on snow is going to be a new experience and I’d rather not take chances. Does anybody have experience putting chains on their tires? I have a 2007 Hyundai Elantra, so it’s not exactly a 4WD vehicle, but I also don’t know if we get enough snow here to make a viable option.
I was just in the bookstore a while ago — not buying books, as my student loan refund has get to register in my bank account, so I can’t even afford ONE book — and was totally geeking out at the art supplies. I love the fact that part of my degree program involves the visual arts and at some point, I will have to buy art supplies for class! I just don’t know that I will be able to hold out for the time when I am actually part of such a class to buy things. The thought of some new brushes and a nice set of watercolours is making me sort of fangirl-y.
In other news, one of my courses is an introduction to multicultural counseling. I think this is so fabulous. However, the beginning of every class period (which runs about 2 hours) is a student-led experiential activity. I kind of wanted to cry and laugh out loud when I read this. Uh, good thing I have a solid 8 months of experiential activities to draw on, right? I mean, surely some of these can be adapted for non-eating disorder crowds.
I know it’s only three classes, and I know I haven’t even started them yet, but I am SO excited. I was all nervous taking the bus to campus this morning and really, it was no problem. And, thankfully, the buildings I will be in the most often — are all in the same area of campus! The only thing across campus that I might potentially use is the student rec center — they have a climbing wall (!!!!) and offer some exercise classes (yoga and pilates only, thankyouverymuch). I’m not even going to bother checking it out today, because it’s a bit chilly and being in the bookstore has inspired me go home and work on a piece of art. And read. My next stop? The library — to check out one of my textbooks that I cannot yet afford and start reading. :)
Also:
SOMEONE LET ME INTO GRAD SCHOOL!!