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The semester is finally over and I must say, Phhhheeewwwwwwwww. What a ride
I bit off more than I could chew this semester. It took it’s toll on me and there came a point mid-way where I not only wanted to cash in my chips, but I was questioning why I was even playing this game.
I was commuting to class 4 days a week, 70 miles one way. 4 graduate level classes which included Advanced Pharmacology and Evidenced Based Research. 3 of my 4 classes had weekly assignments that culminated with 2 group projects.
Those facts alone would have been enough.
Then you have to factor in the wonderful winter/ spring weather I had to navigate through. I lost count how many times my 1.25 hour drive one way turned into a 4 or 5 hr. drive one way. There were repeating weeks where I spent greater than 10hrs a day in my car. I think the drive and the frequency of the drive is what really ‘drove’ me insane (ya like that pun don’t ya).
I didn’t have to take all those classes. Unfortunately I thought I needed to maintain a certain level of credits to maintain safe finances. I’m a full-time student and a casual employee, so the finances mattered greatly. I just made the miscalculation of not factoring in the season and the frequency of classes/week.
I’ve learned the hard way, that no matter what I may think is right (or better) – the commute versus financial freedom is not a balanced equation. Not to mention the price of gas seems to have skyrocketed in these few short months. So the less time I spend traveling in my car, the better! Less travel = less gas needed in my car’s gas tank. (Last price I saw was $3.89/gallon).
I did learn that I am where I want and need to be. My passion to become a Nurse Practitioner has not wavered. My original plan of attack and my battle plan has not changed. I just need to curate the manner in which I’m fighting this ‘war’.
I could not have survived this semester without the support, understanding, compassion and patience of my beautiful wife.
She truly is my rock. She is the air I breathe.
I get a lil’ bit of a breather in the meantime, and I’m learning how to do ‘nothing’. I can’t quite remember what it’s like to do that thing called nothing, but I’m tryin’. I also keep having these paranoid ‘flashes’ thinking I’m missing or forgetting a project that is due, or needing to study for the next exam.
I think a nice vacation is in order – somewhere warm, sunny and with sand.
I have another semester coming up. This summer will not be as hectic, but I doubt that means easier in anyway. The only ‘easy’ part of this next semester is the minimal amount of commuting I will do.
So I press forward.
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