Text B Bittersweet memories Karen odem 1 High school graduation- the bittersweet feelings are as much a part of me now as they were twenty one years ago 2 As graduation day approached, excitement increased. Being out of high school meant I was finally coming of age. Soon I would be on my own, making my own decisions, doing what I wanted without someone looking over my shoulder and it meant going to school with boys-a welcome change coming from an allgirl high school
Bittersweet Memories Karen Odem 1 High school graduation — the bittersweet feelings are as much a part of me now as they were twenty-one years ago. 2 As graduation day approached, excitement increased. Being out of high school meant I was finally coming of age. Soon I would be on my own, making my own decisions, doing what I wanted without someone looking over my shoulder and it meant going to school with boys-a welcome change coming from an all-girl high school. Text B
Text B 3 There was never any question in my mind that I would go to a college away from home. My mother's idea, on the other hand, was just the opposite. Trying her best not to force her preferences on me, she would subtly ask whether I had considered particular schools-all of which happened to be located in or near my hometown of Chicago Once it was established that, as long as it was financially feasible, I would be going away anyway, my family's perspective changed Their concern shifted from whether I was going away to how far. The schools I was considering on the East Coast suddenly looked much more attractive than those in california
3 There was never any question in my mind that I would go to a college away from home. My mother's idea, on the other hand, was just the opposite. Trying her best not to force her preferences on me, she would subtly ask whether I had considered particular schools-all of which happened to be located in or near my hometown of Chicago. Once it was established that, as long as it was financially feasible, I would be going away anyway, my family's perspective changed. Their concern shifted from whether I was going away to how far. The schools I was considering on the East Coast suddenly looked much more attractive than those in California. Text B
Text B 4 But which college I would attend was just one of what seemed like a never-ending list of unknowns: What would college be like? Would I be unbearably lonely not knowing anyone else who was going to the same school? Would the other students like me? Would I make friends easily? Would I miss my family so much that wouldnt be able to stand it and what about the work-would i be able to keep up? Being an a student in high school seemed to offer little assurance I would be able to survive college .)What if the college I selected turned out to be a horrible mistake? Would i be able to transfer to another school?
4 But which college I would attend was just one of what seemed like a never-ending list of unknowns: What would college be like? Would I be unbearably lonely not knowing anyone else who was going to the same school? Would the other students like me? Would I make friends easily? Would I miss my family so much that I wouldn't be able to stand it? And what about the work-would I be able to keep up? (Being an A student in high school seemed to offer little assurance I would be able to survive college.) What if the college I selected turned out to be a horrible mistake? Would I be able to transfer to another school? Text B
Text B 5 Then panic set in. My feelings took a 180-degree turn. I really didn 't want to leave high school at all, and it was questionable whether I wanted to grow up after all. It had been nice being respected as a senior by the underclass students for the past year; I didn ' t enjoy the idea of being on the bottom rung of the ladder again 6 Despite months of anticipation, nothing could have prepared me for the impact of the actual day. As the familiar strains of "Pomp and Circumstance" echoed in the background, I looked around at the other figures in white caps and gowns as we solemnly filed into the auditorium. Tears welled up uncontrollably in my eyes
5 Then panic set in. My feelings took a 180-degree turn. I really didn't want to leave high school at all, and it was questionable whether I wanted to grow up after all. It had been nice being respected as a senior by the underclass students for the past year; I didn't enjoy the idea of being on the bottom rung of the ladder again. 6 Despite months of anticipation, nothing could have prepared me for the impact of the actual day. As the familiar strains of "Pomp and Circumstance" echoed in the background, I looked around at the other figures in white caps and gowns as we solemnly filed into the auditorium. Tears welled up uncontrollably in my eyes, Text B
Text B and I was consumed by a rush of sadness. As if in a daze, I rose from my seat when I heard my name called and slowly crossed the stage to receive my diploma. AS I reached out my hand, I knew that I was reaching not just for a piece of paper but for a brand-new life. Exciting as the prospect of a new life seemed, it wasn't easy saying good-bye to the old one the familiar faces the familiar routine, i would even miss that chemistry class I wasn't particularly fond of and the long commute each day between home and school that I abhorred. Good or bad. it was what knew
and I was consumed by a rush of sadness. As if in a daze, I rose from my seat when I heard my name called and slowly crossed the stage to receive my diploma. As I reached out my hand, I knew that I was reaching not just for a piece of paper but for a brand-new life. Exciting as the prospect of a new life seemed, it wasn't easy saying good-bye to the old one-the familiar faces, the familiar routine. I would even miss that chemistry class I wasn't particularly fond of and the long commute each day between home and school that I abhorred. Good or bad, it was what I knew. Text B