Welcome to the "The Real World"... it kinda sucks

Ok, this procrastination stuff is getting ridiculous...considering I haven't written a word on this blog in, like, 4 months, I think it's high time I spend some time. Now that I'm no longer a University student, I'm hoping I will have more free time to spend doing things I actually LIKE (like my writing)...

Speaking of no longer being a University student, my new situation has made me realize why some people spend their lives being "lifelong students", endlessly jumping from one program to the next, racking up debtloads along the way that would make George Bush blush. Despite all the time over the past four or five years that I've complained about paying way too much money in tuition and spending all my free time (or so it seemed) writing papers or studying, now that I don't have to do those things I (oddly enough) miss doing them.

Well, okay not really. I certainly don't miss the monotony or stress of being in school as much as the sort of "suspended reality" one lives in when attending school long term. I mean the more years you spend attending University, the longer you can avoid "real life" and adulthood, that is to say a regular job and (gasp) settling down. Of course this is not to say that University students do not have any responsibility or are out of touch with reality (though, as always, there are some exceptions); on the contrary. I'm simply saying that because of the very nature of the structure of University education, it is almost impossible for one to lead a settled lifestyle - you can't really work at a regular job (which means you can't really have a regular cash flow), your schedule (and sometimes residence) changes every few months, you must switch between the different sides of your brain and skill set on a daily basis, etc.

One also exists in a kind of state of "suspended adolescence" because of this kind of lifestyle where (for the most part), except for a crushing barrage of work around the middle of the semester and again at the end, you have a lot of time to sit around and chat with friends, drink, surf the internet; pretty much do whatever the hell you want. Heck, your parents are across town/province/country, so what are they gonna do?! Well, except for those of us who were lucky enough (or cursed accordingly, depending on how you look at it) to live at home.

I've also realized that you get SO many perks and discounts as a student that it almost makes the huge tuition payments worthwhile (almost). You get breaks on new cars, all kinds of tickets, trips, restaurants, shopping, and it goes on and on! For example, I renewed the Globe and Mail subscription for mom for Mother's Day under the "student" option and one full year of Saturday's at that rate only cost me $70! The regular rate is about $150! Good thing those student numbers stick with you for a while...

Anyway, regardless of your specific University experience and what it entailed, generally in a crude manner of speaking, going to school is a great way to avoid "The Real World". Of course everyone has their own definition of this "real world" concept, but many believe it to refer to the "working world". The world of 9 to 5 and offices, fax machines and meetings. Now that I'm a part of this world, I can attest that it isn't so bad. It's actually kind of exciting. Besides, I'm certainly no stranger to the working world, considering I've had jobs since I was 14. I've realized that it really isn't something that should be avoided anyway.

But I can still see why people continue to go to school over and over again. Aside from the points I made above, learning is fun, isn't it?! I know that sounds incredibly dorky, but I believe that any kind of education is NEVER a waste of time. So, who cares if you go to school for 10 years or earn 4 degrees as long as it's something you enjoy and that enriches your life? Some people get satisfaction from their job and some get it in other ways. I personally try and gain satisfaction from ALL areas of my life, and I've gotten it from my education and now I am trying to get it from my job. It's about being conscientious, dedicated and proud - no matter what you're doing.

Though, it would be really nice to still be able to get all those discounts I once enjoyed...