Old School

I've been working on a project at the University of Texas the last couple weeks, which brings me on campus every once in awhile. Each time I step foot out of my car, I feel so out of place. Not in the sense that this isn't my school campus, but more that I am so much older than everyone around me.

It hasn't been that long since I was a college student, has it? Then again, I am nine years older than this year's freshman class. I often reflect on what I consider to be recent memories: my dorm days, living in the A Phi house, eating the terrible food on campus, weekend parties, the stress of midterms and finals. My nostalgia comes to a screeching halt as soon as I see the faces of a group of girls passing me. They look so young! Did I look that young? More importantly, do I look old to them?

I don't expect to pass as a college co-ed when I'm on campus anymore. But I also don't want to stick out like a sore thumb. My dress and blazer don't exactly fit in with their Greek lettered shirts and shorts. Perhaps at the very least I can pass for a grad student?


How fleetingly those four years passed by me. I sometimes wish I had appreciated them more, done more with my time. I could have studied abroad, run for a student body council position, written for the school paper.

Then again, if I had, perhaps these things would not have gotten me to where I am today. Maybe if I had begun to write sooner, I wouldn't have gone to fashion school. If I had done more with mock trial in college, I probably would have gone to law school instead. I have to remind myself that with every choice I've made, I left something else behind. And instead of allowing myself to be consumed with "what if's" I should be thankful for what is.

If I have to continue on the path of being older, I hope that I am becoming equally wiser. My words of wisdom for the college kids I pass on campus? Find a good group of friends to share the college journey with, take classes you love ~ even if they don't fit in with your major, don't sweat the midterm you didn't pass, and of course, mind your manners.