And another year begins at the University of Maine. This time, I’m not a part of it.
That said, I’m sitting in the Memorial Union in Orono looking up at a stage with a big yellow and black ZOX logo. I’m up here for a free concert from one of my favorite bands. While I wait for their set to start, though, I’m spending my time checking up on my e-mail and, more importantly, looking around at what’s happening around me.
When I left high school, I thought back at everything that was wrong with the concept of secondary education. My critique of post-secondary learning isn’t so harsh; I’m really glad I went where I went and I did what I did (it worked, too, judging from the Sephone cap I’m wearing on my head).
I’m spending this time looking around at the people around me. It’s the first day of classes here; a third of the people here are doing the same old routine, a third are walking around like they own the place, and a third aren’t sure about where to step next. Some are wearing the fashions they learned in high school. Some are wearing next to nothing in a probable attempt to gather attention. Here in the union, people seem to be enjoying themselves with groups of friends. The funniest part? Everyone looks like a freshman to me. It’s weird to think that I’ve completed this stage in my life.
The University has learned from our Student Forum rantings and Maine Campus letters to the editor. The entire dining system has been revamped. There’s better parking. And, of course, there’s construction. (Nothing’s perfect.)
There’s about an hour until ZOX performs, and I’ll be jacked in with my headphones listening to “Leaving Me,” “Ghost Town,” and “Rain on Me.” That means I have an hour to reflect - this is going to be interesting.
