Taking Summer Classes

July 23rd, 2019

I attended two summer classes this past month. Having to wake up around 5am every morning and leaving the house by 6, I had to discipline myself. It is not the same as having a 7:30am class during the regular school year. While everyone else is sleeping in and enjoying their summer break throughout the day, I forced myself to get up early every day and attend school which was over an hour commute by bus. I began to understand more of my dad’s daily morning routine: sitting alone on the couch in silence, holding his hot cup of coffee. My mornings weren’t the same, but the process itself – enjoying the sun; hearing the birds chirping; the silence of my own thoughts… The loneliness that wasn’t necessarily lonely.

My classes start at 7:30 in the morning and I wasn’t done until nearly 3 in the afternoon. The closer I get to graduation (and I’m already a year behind), the more I convince myself to keep persevering. I know I need to do this, became my mindset.

Ever since nearly losing my financial aid (due to poor academic standing), I’ve been more scared of failure than ever before. I’ve had to slap myself around and give myself a reality check. For a long time I used my depression as an excuse to do poorly in school. I’m not saying that it’s always an excuse because depression is mentally crippling. But for myself, I knew I was just being lazy and falling behind is what made me anxious and depressed. I knew that I wasn’t pushing myself hard enough.

Not only did summer quarter help me grow mentally, it kept me busy and challenged me. I felt good being productive and having something to work towards with deadlines because I know that even if I have goals, I give myself too much time to procrastinate on achieving them. I highly encourage more people to take summer classes- whether they’re for fun or credits going towards your degree. It teaches you discipline when most others aren’t attending school. You spend your time differently than a regular summer sleeping in until 2pm or going to the beach on the weekdays. It helps you learn about yourself.