Last year I had finally decided what to do with my life. I decided to switch over to the nursing program. Unfortunately, the nursing program has a set 4-year plan for all of the incoming freshman. Being a freshman in her spring semester, having only few classes to check off on that plan, I was stuck. But I spoke with the director of incoming admissions and she said in order to graduate in 4 years, I would have to take summer classes. I had never taken summer classes before and I didn't think it was that bad. But boy, I was introduced to a new level of difficult. When I passed the last final that semester, I was more than ready to go home, be able to sleep in, go to work, do some studying throughout the day, and have free time to see some friends. After a week of being home, I started chemistry. Here’s what ran through my mind.

1. This will be fun!

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Yes, I truly thought that taking a six week chemistry class would be fun. I enjoyed it in high school, so it can’t be that bad, right? At least it’s better than a semester of physics.

2. Why am I doing this?

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I wondered why I thought I could balance school, 40 hours of work, activities, and friends.

3. Praise The Lord, I have friends in this class!

I was worried that I wouldn’t know anyone, but luckily, everyone in my class is kind and willing to help each other understand concepts!

4. Are we done yet?

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After three days of class and realizing that it was only Wednesday, I had to accept that this would not be like other classes that I was used to.

5. Can we slow down, please?

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I realized that this would be much faster than a normal semester-long class. A chapter a day for five weeks is the equivalent to two weeks of a Monday-Wednesday-Friday class during the semester.

6. I immediately regret my decision.

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I’d be lying if I told you that I hadn’t entertained the idea of quitting and waiting to take this during the semester. But I ain’t no quitter, and sprinting towards the graduation finish line and away from an extra semester. However, I’m not sure how I’m going to do this once my second class starts next week.

7. I can’t wait to finish this class!

Don’t get me wrong, I love learning! But I was surprised that I spend 8-10 hours a day on homework and studying this class. The end is in sight (way off in the distance), and at least I will have this class out of the way!

8. I'm never doing this again.

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At least with everything else going on. I learned that it's impossible to balance everything you want to do in a summer. But school comes first.

My first summer class experience was interesting. While not at all what I expected, I know that I will come out stronger for enduring these classes, and farther ahead on my degree.