On the other hand, maybe college isn’t such a good idea

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Here is a confession: I never finished college. I meant to, but after my husband graduated and we moved to Arizona, it just became one of those goals that went on the back burner. I always said I’d go back when all the kids went to school, but hey, then I turned into a writer and there just didn’t seem to be the need or the time to go back.

But last year was frustrating in a lot of ways. A few bad days as an author and I found myself surfing the Internet for other career possibilities. Another bad day and I actually sent in an application to a university, then bam another bad day and I registered for an online course.

I didn’t take it–the no time thing hadn’t changed–and so a couple of weeks ago they sent me a reminder letter that the deadline was coming up.

Well, I’d already paid for it, and really I always did want to finish my degree, so I buckled down and got it done. It’s a one credit required course called Student Developement 100 and is basically about how to become a successful student.

On the website the class is listed as STDev 100, but somehow my mind skipped over those lower case e and v and I’ve been referrring to it as STD 100, which might not have been so bad except that I just had to go to the testing center to take the final.

And yes, I did go to the desk and tell the lady that I was there for my STD 100 test.

And no, I didn’t realize how that sounded until she gave me this shocked sort of look, like I was entirely in the wrong place and if it was my 100th test then maybe I just needed to choose a different lifestyle.

Then I quickly told her that I meant Student Developement 100.

See, this is why I’m never going to run out of embarrassing stories for my books.

14 comments

  1. Stephanie Abney
    July 20, 2008 at 10:14 am

    Too funny!!! I love your commentary on daily life and how you manage to weave those observations into terrific books!! So… dare I ask… what’s your next class?

  2. Janette Rallison
    July 20, 2008 at 12:19 pm

    I’m teaching a class on Monday the 21st on writing the YA novel, but anyone who wants to write will benefit since I’ll be going over plotting, characterization, etc.

  3. The Golfing Librarian
    July 20, 2008 at 2:41 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  4. The Golfing Librarian
    July 20, 2008 at 2:47 pm

    I can relate to the STD 100 story. I graduated from WAZZU with a B.A. degree in American Studies. (Impressive sounding, no?) One day, I recieved some literature from the department in which someone, in their infinite wisdom, chose to abreviate the major as “American Stud”. Maybe it was an attempt tp attract more students to the department

  5. Asenath
    July 20, 2008 at 4:44 pm

    so how’d you do on your STD 100 test?

  6. Tamra Norton
    July 20, 2008 at 5:11 pm

    SO FUNNY!!!

    I never actually finished either, so you’re not alone. 🙂

  7. Janette Rallison
    July 20, 2008 at 11:53 pm

    I think I did pretty well on my STD 100 final, and Chuck–you are an American Stud.

  8. Lillian Syville
    July 21, 2008 at 6:33 am

    which college did you sign up for

  9. Janette Rallison
    July 21, 2008 at 11:17 am

    BYU. Go Cougars!

  10. Anna Maria Junus
    July 21, 2008 at 4:34 pm

    Good thing you didn’t take American Indian Development Studies.

  11. Shanna Blythe
    July 21, 2008 at 10:01 pm

    Oh my gosh! I’m rolling on the floor laughing! That is SO FUNNY!!

    Good luck with taking classes. I quit school for a little while and came back to it. I’m FINALLY finished and I’m so glad it is over with. Now I have nightmares about how I really don’t have a degree even though they sent me one and I have ONE more class to take. BLECH!!

  12. Lillian Syville
    July 22, 2008 at 9:42 am

    When my mom went back to school it was a nightmare every day before her essays were due. But you’re probally used to your kids inturuppting you writing.

  13. The Golfing Librarian
    July 22, 2008 at 10:55 am

    Hey Janette –
    My Cougars can beat up your Cougars!

  14. Janette Rallison
    July 23, 2008 at 9:58 am

    Meow!

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