Academic lifestyle: summer courses, part 1

Self-tutoring about June life as a student: the tutor reflects on the luxury of over-capacity.

In June, there seems this “other” existence that some people have, but others don’t. One can sense it on campus, for instance.

I recall taking university courses May-August – the summer semester. Campus was only a fraction as busy as it would be in the fall, or had just been in April. One would walk the hallway or stairs, somewhat enjoying not having to dodge around others coming and going. The warm June sun invited one to stroll the campus grounds, less crowded and more inviting than ever. It’s a great time to be a student.

It might occur to someone to ask, during those leisurely days on campus in the summer, where “everyone else” is, meaning the people who left at the end of April to return in September. Likely, one might conclude, they are out making money for next year. They’ve diffused from the university town to the home town, the family business, perhaps a co-op job, or camp.

Yet, as a student, my more rewarding summers were spent on campus. Sometimes one does one’s part by not joining a line-up:)