On Point

School daze

By: Linda McCarthy
   I have a strong belief in education and I encourage my children to absorb all the knowledge they possibly can. Having said this, let me continue by adding this ardent declaration falls firmly on deaf ears. I don’t understand it. I have spawned three of the most intelligent men I know. If pressed, they can converse on various topics with a significant degree of where-with-all. They come up with surprisingly thought provoking questions and even present formidable opponents when we watch "Jeopardy" together. Still, I can’t get them to take school seriously.
   I’ve spent a lot of time analyzing the situation and have decided the problem is me. I’m exactly the same. Thinking back, the thought of going to school always put a huge knot in my stomach. This time of year is especially stressful because all the back-to-school ads are starting. These gave me the feeling I was on death row and the countdown to pulling the switch had begun. It was a completely irrational response, but valid in that I did not want the summer to end — EVER.
   Once I was there, school was all right. I viewed it as a necessary evil and managed to trudge through the education system without incident. Somewhere along the way I decided to become a part of that system. I think my decision was based on hoping I could change the minds of kids who felt like me. School is a great place to meet friends and share ideas. It is an avenue to success and the right of every American citizen. We forget that not every country mandates education for their children. We are a privileged nation.
   OK, off the soapbox and back to reality. I made the mistake of enrolling in graduate school. As if the 24 years of my life spent earning a degree in English were not enough, I decided to lead by example and pursue my master’s. What was I thinking? First off, it is a three-year program. I never consciously commit to anything for that long. There is no room for slackers; if you don’t complete the program in the allotted time, you are out. Faced with this sort of militaristic dilemma, I thought I’d hedge my bet and take two summer courses.
   It seemed like a good idea at the time, however the initial brilliance of most of my brainstorms usually ends in a puff of hazy wonder. Somewhere at the end of the first week I began to wonder how I ended up there. Three major papers and four presentations later, the summer is almost over. I’m pale, cranky and jealous of my rotten kids who have savored every moment of their free time. I’ve been chained to the computer with the added burden of looking happy so they believe my mantra, "school is fun."
   I think my next class may have to be for acting. I don’t think I’m too convincing. Even the dog avoids being in the same room with me. One of my kids suggested I adopt his mantra, "go for the ‘C’." Could I be any prouder?
   Linda McCarthy resides in Robbinsville with her husband and three children.