School Daze

My last few days seem to be revolving around education again.

I am not at university or college right now but I remember my 'school daze'. (The wonderful period of life wherein your existence races along faster than you can comprehend; and yet you still try to learn something.) University life was hectic and exciting but the school year passed so fast.

One endless struggle was finding ways to pay for my education. During the summers I worked and during the school year I 'lived' on what I had earned and what student loans I could acquire. With the way loans were handled in BC things could be stressful.

Student rallies were a way to voice my concern about education. It was also a time to participate in democracy – ie: being able to assemble and speak out. I didn't have much faith in converting the politicians but participating made me feel involved.

On Wednesday I went for a walk and heard the sounds of a rally at the Legislature Buildings. I wandered over and joined the crowd for a while. I said to a policeman nearby: “Did the chants sound any different this year?”. He said: “No, the message is the same but the faces have changed.” He was right. I felt I was back at Uvic in the eighties and any pictures I took would look similar to those I took then. This is fine because the message never changes. Education has to be properly funded.

(Laura-Jane has written about the rally and posted pictures in her diary.)

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Yesterday was my volunteer day and I spent the afternoon teaching someone computer skills. It was quiet at “work” so we could concentrate and get a lot done. This one – on – one teaching is a lot of fun and I enjoy seeing people learn something new. This may be different than formal education but it is as important and as satisfying for the learner.

I will continue to assist and teach when I volunteer and I may go further. I am thinking of leading a workshop about journaling and I am considering taking a course of some type. My 'school daze' won't be as intense as it was at university but it will be fun!