Education Frustration

I have two papers to write for English and four chapters to read for psychology by the 30th. Instead of actually doing the work, I’m doing what any good, responsible student would do: I’m blogging about school.

I just registered for Fall classes. Like this semester, I’m taking two classes, Spanish 1 and Art History 1. They have nothing specifically to do with my major of biology. They’re classes that everyone has to take in order to graduate.

Because of my health, or lack thereof, I have a very hard time getting out of the house. So far, all of my classes have been online. I knew there would eventually come a day when I would have to go to campus for a class. That day has come – there is no online option for Spanish 1. I’ll be going onto campus on Monday and Wednesday for an hour and 20 minutes to learn Spanish. Art History 1 was available online, thank God.

I’ve only been taking two classes because I know that this is the most I can do without crashing. I desperately wish I could take the “usual” number of classes, and I was very tempted to just sign up and go for it. Fuck you, health problems!

Aside from my mom and a few close friends, nobody understands why I can’t just go to school like everyone else. My doctors don’t get it. Most of my family doesn’t get it. Nobody gets it.

I’m getting straight As, so I’m going to be on the Dean’s List and 4.0 List, right? WRONG! I won’t be getting my name in the newspaper for being on the Dean’s List and 4.0 List because I’m not able to take enough classes to qualify for either list. Some of my doctors have said that they’re going to be looking out for my name in the paper, but it won’t be there. And they don’t get it. It’s not fair.

Getting As in two measly classes is no big deal, anyway. At least not in my school’s opinion.

My reduced life expectancy combined with the snail’s pace at which I’m taking classes means that I may never actually graduate. Even if I do graduate, I’m not well enough to even get a job. My efforts will mostly likely go unnoticed. It’s not fair.

Students who struggle against illness to take two classes deserve to be acknowledged just as much as full-time students. I hope people begin to understand this someday. Until then, I’m sticking with it, because my mind is a terrible thing to waste.