When I decided 2 or 3 years ago to get my grad degree in Speech and Language Pathology I was thrilled to find out about USU's outreach program. I could take my classes online and spend a few short weeks over the summer taking classes. It wouldn't be so hard! I knew that it would be a challenge. I knew that it wouldn't be easy. I knew there would be some sacrifice.
I had absolutely NO idea.
It's nearly impossible to explain to someone what it's like during an outreach summer. I've tried. People always think I'm exaggerating.
I try to tell them about one week that began with a test and then over the next 4 days we had 4 papers and 5 presentations to give. I tell people that I only slept for 8 hours that week. I explain that if it weren't for the blue RockStar I'd never have made it. (coffee is a wimp). Generally I get a shocked expression and then a smile and a nod. (for some reason people are prone to not taking me seriously)
It's hard to convey the sense of urgency that 15 weeks of classes crammed into 6 weeks is really like. You find yourself questioning if there's time for extra curricular activities . . . like sleeping, showering or eating.
The monumental amounts of information that is forced into your brain. The unbelievable amounts of information that your brain can absorb! The amazing butt muscles you develop sitting for 8 hours a day!
The one thing that really surprised me -and was even more important than RockStar in helping me survive- were the friendships I forged in 6 short weeks. I think I might understand a bit of how soldiers feel about each other when they go into war. Going through Hell can really bring people together!
In 2010 we will be finished with this odyssey. It will be so nice to get a life again and not have to study constantly--but I have to say, I will really miss spending my summer in sheer panic with each and every one of those 25 people that I've come to care about so much.
It's been hard, but I wouldn't trade those memories for anything.
Looking forward to Summer '09 and all of us feeling overwhelmed and freaked out together!
