I resonate with your story, Erik. Class of ‘03 here. Great grades in high school. Dropped out of college from partying too hearty. Wised up some, went back later. Earned an English degree while working at a convenience store. Am a writer now professionally. A father to young children who is skeptical of all the superficial feelings so many people seem to wear on their sleeves these days. Maybe a generational thing? Maybe just a part of the human condition? I hope like hell I have the right of it figured out for most things, but I look back and know the opposite has been true for much of my life.
I guess we just keep on keeping on with the blessings of hard-earned humility.
Sounds very similar! I have two kids but they're getting old now (13/16 this summer). And that's very true. Hard-earned humility, the wisdom you scrape together. Thanks
Well, another English major here (maybe all your readers are English majors- I certainly don't think that's a bad thing.) Anyway, I think higher education is pretty much wasted on the young. First time around, all I wanted to do was get drunk and smoke weed. Now I'm 52 and back in school, getting my degree, and actually enjoying every minute of learning. Maybe there's hope for us oldies after all.
It is 100% wasted on the young (like so many things) though I think there's value to the experience, to that freedom and even the partying and rebellion. But for educational purposes? Probably much more valuable to wait a few years. Or longer! That's awesome you're back at it!
After almost 50 years of self doubt and procrastination I started writing and sharing some work. Now I have a handful of people who read and follow, but just those precious few make it all worthwhile. The line "You're lucky if anyone ever bothers" is so true.
Great piece. I was thinking the other day how I wasted my college years… but differently, I guess. Drank A LOT, but still made it to class most days, and graduated with a high B average from a great school. Also an English major, but didn’t appreciate it as much as I should have. Who felt like she had to graduate and conform and go work in an office and thus sold her soul. 35 years later, there’s money in the 401(k), but lots of stories unwritten, lots of experiences un-had. I’d like a do-over please.
I resonate with your story, Erik. Class of ‘03 here. Great grades in high school. Dropped out of college from partying too hearty. Wised up some, went back later. Earned an English degree while working at a convenience store. Am a writer now professionally. A father to young children who is skeptical of all the superficial feelings so many people seem to wear on their sleeves these days. Maybe a generational thing? Maybe just a part of the human condition? I hope like hell I have the right of it figured out for most things, but I look back and know the opposite has been true for much of my life.
I guess we just keep on keeping on with the blessings of hard-earned humility.
Sounds very similar! I have two kids but they're getting old now (13/16 this summer). And that's very true. Hard-earned humility, the wisdom you scrape together. Thanks
Right on. Thanks for the insights and observations.
Well, another English major here (maybe all your readers are English majors- I certainly don't think that's a bad thing.) Anyway, I think higher education is pretty much wasted on the young. First time around, all I wanted to do was get drunk and smoke weed. Now I'm 52 and back in school, getting my degree, and actually enjoying every minute of learning. Maybe there's hope for us oldies after all.
It is 100% wasted on the young (like so many things) though I think there's value to the experience, to that freedom and even the partying and rebellion. But for educational purposes? Probably much more valuable to wait a few years. Or longer! That's awesome you're back at it!
After almost 50 years of self doubt and procrastination I started writing and sharing some work. Now I have a handful of people who read and follow, but just those precious few make it all worthwhile. The line "You're lucky if anyone ever bothers" is so true.
How many of us after years of addiction and destructive behavior discover our real addiction was self-hate? It was for me.
Some version of that, yeah.
Wow quite the story! Love the writing, very evocative.
Thank you!
Great piece. I was thinking the other day how I wasted my college years… but differently, I guess. Drank A LOT, but still made it to class most days, and graduated with a high B average from a great school. Also an English major, but didn’t appreciate it as much as I should have. Who felt like she had to graduate and conform and go work in an office and thus sold her soul. 35 years later, there’s money in the 401(k), but lots of stories unwritten, lots of experiences un-had. I’d like a do-over please.
No time like the present to do something new!
Relatable...Like, I think I understand too. So it goes.