The Decision That Was Made for Me

I have once again stayed too long away from my blog, but it has been for a good reason that led me to a major decision.

Due to some extremely unusual circumstances, I will not be returning to Major University for the Fall semester. I tried, after conditions became apparent for what they were, to work out a way that I might commence classes in the Goldlands, but in recent days it has grown obvious that attempting to do so would be difficult at best and would likely end in my having to pull out before the end of the term anyway.

Let me assuage any fears regarding my health now: I am perfectly fine, as are all my family members. The factors behind this development aren't bad. They're just odd.

I got a taste of exactly how true that was when, after assurances of confidentiality on his part, I explained to Major University's dean of academics the justification behind my needing to either take a semester off or schedule my final exams for earlier than normal.

"Wow," he breathed, clearly at a loss of what to say. "I literally have never heard that before."

"I know," I sighed. "I know."

"And you wouldn't be able to go to your professors to ask if you could take your exams early..."

"Exactly. What would I tell them?"

"Right. Well, um...wow."

I haven't officially withdrawn from classes yet, but I'm in the process of finalizing my choice. Major University makes a distinction between those who drop out and those who take gap semesters, and I want to ensure that my intentions, of utilizing a temporary leave from college, are understood.

In the meantime my internship at Major University has ended, my bookstore job is still there, and I'm soon to start searching for a second place of employment.

I agonized over how to handle a delicate and somewhat bizarre happening and despaired that taking a semester off from school would be horribly irresponsible, but now that, after weeks of internal debate, the decision has finally been made, I feel at peace with it. I'm happy even. I find myself looking forward to Fall without college, Fall without midterms, Fall without tuition and loans.

This autumn will be the first since I was four years old that I won't be enrolled in school. That's bound to be weird.

There are certain considerations I've made regarding this, things I'm determined to do. First of all, I will find a second job and I will work a great deal. A money-making opportunity like this must be exploited. Second, I will maintain the vibrant social life that has made the last year and a half of my life such a joy. That will likely mean heading to Major University for weekend bashes, so I may not be wholly absent from campus.

Other than that, I'm taking things one day at a time and doing the best I can with that.