Wow, it has been three months since I have posted anything. How sad. But it is a perfect representation of how busy I have been this last semester. I thought it would be a perfect time to stop and reflect on my past year at Whitworth University. I have found that since I am a married, "older", an off-campus living college student, some things are a little different for me. In other words I am not your traditional college student. You have been warned, just kidding, but not really.
First off, being married really changes the game on priorities. I could not have asked for a more supportive husband then I have. Levi is so much more then words can even describe. God reminders me every day that Levi is a gift to me and I should cherish that gift. Now that little sappy story is exactly why being married changes what I focus on. I do not have all the time in the world to stuff for my exams, write papers and do homework. I have to carve out time to spend with Levi on the weekends. It is not because he demands it of me but because without him I would not be where I am at and he needs my full attention just as much as my Theoretical Orientation paper. Could I have straight A's? yes. Would it make my marriage suffer? yes. If making my marriage a priority causes me to have a couple B's on my transcript then I am okay with that. Also being involved in a great Middle School Ministry at Lake City Church demands more of my time that takes away from a little extra studying. But I love my 7th grade girls and I wouldn't change it for the world!
On top of being married I am considered an "older" college student. You would think that going into my senior year of college and being a solid 5 years older then most other seniors wouldn't make that much of difference but it does. It is not in a bad way whatsoever. It is simply the fact that my life has been different then most students. Being older and married helps me view college differently. I know that life passes quickly. I understand that sometimes grades aren't what you want them to be but that doesn't define you as a person. Work ethic translates from college to your career, or for myself vis versa. College is not just school to me it is a job. I believe that I view college in this way because I have been in the work field for many many years now. I do not believe that grades should just be handed to me, I must work hard for them. I also understand that sometimes professors don't get assignments and test graded right away because they have lives outside of campus. They are not just a professor, many of them are parents, spouses, and active members in their church. I know that many students now this and I am not some sort of anomaly, just older with a more unique perspective then traditional students. I have several friends who are in the same boat as me and it is nice to not feel so isolated, to know that I am not the only one who took this route in life.
Living off campus is also different then living on campus. However it is a greater difference when you live 45 minutes off campus in another state! I am not involved in campus life as I thought I would be. If an even is happening on a day that I am not on campus I usually don't go because it is a longer drive (and gas money) to go to an event. This does has an effect on how I connect with other students but as mentioned before I am not traditional. It is much harder to have other students over to my house because many don't have cars or don't want to drive to CDA, I don't blame them. Sometimes that makes campus life a little lonely. I make an effort to connect with people in CDA and at our church but if I am being honest it would be nice to know more people in Spokane. I don't regret living off campus and in CDA because it is where our future will be. Whitworth is only a short period of my life.
Overall though I LOVE WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY! Sure there are some things that aren't my favorite but I could not think of a better place to grow in my faith and education. I am surrounded by professors who want you to succeed in life. They want you to believe in something but not just for the sake of believing but to truly understand why you believe this way. The psychology department is full of professors who have worked in their field outside of teaching and that gives them a deep understanding of what it looks like to have a psych degree. They are encouraging and always willing to give advice. I had one professor who at the end of the semester., wrote a note on our final paper as to why she felt like we would be a good counselor. My love language is not words of affirmation but that was such an uplifting note after a very challenging semester. I am not the same person I was when I started Whitworth. I hope to not be the same person when I end my Whitworth career. I want to always be growing into who God wants me to be. I am excited for the summer but I am also anxiously awaiting fall semester!
First off, being married really changes the game on priorities. I could not have asked for a more supportive husband then I have. Levi is so much more then words can even describe. God reminders me every day that Levi is a gift to me and I should cherish that gift. Now that little sappy story is exactly why being married changes what I focus on. I do not have all the time in the world to stuff for my exams, write papers and do homework. I have to carve out time to spend with Levi on the weekends. It is not because he demands it of me but because without him I would not be where I am at and he needs my full attention just as much as my Theoretical Orientation paper. Could I have straight A's? yes. Would it make my marriage suffer? yes. If making my marriage a priority causes me to have a couple B's on my transcript then I am okay with that. Also being involved in a great Middle School Ministry at Lake City Church demands more of my time that takes away from a little extra studying. But I love my 7th grade girls and I wouldn't change it for the world!
On top of being married I am considered an "older" college student. You would think that going into my senior year of college and being a solid 5 years older then most other seniors wouldn't make that much of difference but it does. It is not in a bad way whatsoever. It is simply the fact that my life has been different then most students. Being older and married helps me view college differently. I know that life passes quickly. I understand that sometimes grades aren't what you want them to be but that doesn't define you as a person. Work ethic translates from college to your career, or for myself vis versa. College is not just school to me it is a job. I believe that I view college in this way because I have been in the work field for many many years now. I do not believe that grades should just be handed to me, I must work hard for them. I also understand that sometimes professors don't get assignments and test graded right away because they have lives outside of campus. They are not just a professor, many of them are parents, spouses, and active members in their church. I know that many students now this and I am not some sort of anomaly, just older with a more unique perspective then traditional students. I have several friends who are in the same boat as me and it is nice to not feel so isolated, to know that I am not the only one who took this route in life.
Living off campus is also different then living on campus. However it is a greater difference when you live 45 minutes off campus in another state! I am not involved in campus life as I thought I would be. If an even is happening on a day that I am not on campus I usually don't go because it is a longer drive (and gas money) to go to an event. This does has an effect on how I connect with other students but as mentioned before I am not traditional. It is much harder to have other students over to my house because many don't have cars or don't want to drive to CDA, I don't blame them. Sometimes that makes campus life a little lonely. I make an effort to connect with people in CDA and at our church but if I am being honest it would be nice to know more people in Spokane. I don't regret living off campus and in CDA because it is where our future will be. Whitworth is only a short period of my life.
Overall though I LOVE WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY! Sure there are some things that aren't my favorite but I could not think of a better place to grow in my faith and education. I am surrounded by professors who want you to succeed in life. They want you to believe in something but not just for the sake of believing but to truly understand why you believe this way. The psychology department is full of professors who have worked in their field outside of teaching and that gives them a deep understanding of what it looks like to have a psych degree. They are encouraging and always willing to give advice. I had one professor who at the end of the semester., wrote a note on our final paper as to why she felt like we would be a good counselor. My love language is not words of affirmation but that was such an uplifting note after a very challenging semester. I am not the same person I was when I started Whitworth. I hope to not be the same person when I end my Whitworth career. I want to always be growing into who God wants me to be. I am excited for the summer but I am also anxiously awaiting fall semester!
I love your perspective Emily. I love that you are at Whitworth and I can picture your there as I pray for you. I love that you love your husband so much and understand how to keep a marriage and love alive. I love that you seek to have balance in your life and can accept the consequences of that without settling. And I love that you love Jesus more than all of these things. Blessings friend!
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