You’ll recognize these as college campus scenes. One is the University of Iowa, where I spent two summer weeks studying writing about a decade ago. The winter and fall scenes are at Syracuse University, where I first went to college.
The University of Tampa is very different. An urban campus in the Florida heat. Smaller by far. And yet, walking around campus, I always get this frisson of longing. I love the campus environment. The students walking around with books, my knowing just how they feel to be away at school. And I love being around academia: the way everyone works to give students that college experience. To challenge their thinking. To help them grow.
I can’t really explain why I love it. I just know that I always have. Especially a traditional campus with season changes, and all that brings with it.
I left my college career too early, I know, before I was ready. I got married young and finished college as a married student, so I missed some of that college experience. That may be why I physically long for it at times.
Last year I fantasized about trying to find adjunct teaching work at the University of Iowa. I fell in love with the very traditional campus and toyed with the idea of living in a tiny place and just teaching. I even went online periodically to check out teaching jobs in my field.
Today I had a half day training session at UT. Walking through campus to the Sykes Building, I had a new thought: What if I finished my PhD?
It would take 3-4 years to finish. Am I too old to go back to it? Meaning too old to have any meaningful job prospects?
Going back to school is a thought I’ve always rejected. But today, for the very first time, it’s come up.
Here you’ll find my blog, some of my essays, published writing, and my solo performances. There’s also a link to my Etsy shop for healing and grief tools offered through A Healing Spirit.
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