I am surrounded by youth and energy....

I’m in my thirties, I am divorced, and have an 8 year old little girl named Emma. I came back to school to settle an old score you could say. My point being is that as I walk among you, my mind is filled with questions about what is it like to be 18 again.

I know what you’re thinking. I’m the guy that sits in the front of the class, with hand up. Always the guy who has to bother the Professor about something. Yeah, I think that too. I can’t stand those guys either, but I’m in the back.

The perspective of an “adult” student is really about different things. I cannot speak for everyone, but I feel as I have something to prove. I wonder how an undergrad in their 20’s feel s about that. I just think yall are having fun…a lot of fun.

As the first weeks of class gets cranked up and the weather starts to turn (ever so slowly), maybe take a look around and wonder what all that student has going on. Being a college student is hard I have learned. We are almost all poor, we have to get up in the morning, and the food in the UC is, well Ok.

There is more though. I want to give a shout out to all of us that are working full or part time jobs, juggling kids or marriages. I want to holler out for those might be like me and feel out of place. Like an alien.

Hey, every student I have come across or dealt with has been great, and I have no worries. The thing is that their doesn’t seem to be niche for us. Perhaps, we could pull together and start a fraternity. Oh, I forgot. My daughter has tap class those nights.
I’m not one of those people that complain about “today’s youth.”

Hey, I’m cool. I voted for Obama and believe this world needs to be fixed. I think that my only advantage over my peers that walk by me in halls is that I have gained years. It’s kinda like a time machine at UTC for me. I’m not wise, but have wisdom. You can’t get older without gaining experience, and experience leads to knowledge.

Knowledge some of you don’t have yet. I’m only talking about roofing your house and stuff, but you get my point. Hey, I really should be quiet. I get told I look a lot younger. I think it is because I moisturize, or perhaps the tea tree shampoo.

To all my classmates, I look forward to this chapter in my life. I got to bring my kid to UTC this summer to see “Daddy’s school.” I was proud that she was impressed. I am proud to be here.