A Millennial in Wonderland

*This post was previously published for the blog, “Rachel Shubin.” It is now Cape May Rachel*

Today was technically  my first day as a senior at George Mason University. I’m eight credits behind the standard senior, but that’s okay because I have finally come into my own here at GMU.

The cold weather today reminded me of my first spring semester at GMU, only a few degrees warmer that day. I woke up this morning, after having a slight nightmare that I was taking another math class. Thankfully, I finished that requirement at community college, so I don’t have to relive my math days.

I was tired when I woke up, because I haven’t shifted back to my early morning classes, but I woke without a sense of dread of heading to my first class. It’s not my “first day of the last semester” because I do still have those pesky eight credits left — but it is the “first day of the last full semester!”

My only class today is a communication class called news writing and reporting. The building that class is in, always has the heat on blast! GMU is always a sauna in the winter. It’s a 24 person class, with a few familiar faces. I’ve been in the comm department long enough to start having people I know in my classes.

The professor did her shtick, and then it was time for the stereotypical and cliche “class introductions.” It’s not that I don’t like hearing about my classmates, or bragging about myself for that matter; it just feels so middle/high school-esque.

I always try to think about what I’m going to say, which sometimes changes depending on what other people say. This introduction of mine was pretty standard: senior, three years interning at Cape May Magazine, hope to work there when I graduate and write about local events.

I’m finally ready to move on from the college portion of my life. It’s been quite a ride and I’ve learned a lot about myself and also discovered a new found appreciation for being a “jstudent” or journalism student. I might not go to a journalism college, heck I’m not even majoring in journalism (seriously GMU needs a journalism program), but I’m still a jstudent in all senses of the word.

I’m ready to brace this semester and work hard, because it’s one semester closer to graduating and starting a brand new life that I have been waiting for, for so long.

I normally just blog on sandpipercat.com, my primary platform, but this is going to be my more professional blog of sorts.