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A Woman in a Man's World

As I have now completed my first term at Mohawk College, I have learned some pro's and con's to being one of the few female in the school, and in class. I'll leave it up to you to figure out which is which.

1. There is never a line up for the bathroom. And even better, it's pretty much always clean as they hardly ever get used.

2. The best guy friends to have are ones that are in relationships. No threat that they mistake your friendliness for something more.

3. You experience a sense of solidarity with the other women in your class. You have to stick together.

4. I still haven't decided how this works with women outside of my class. I try to give a little smile or nod of the head when I pass them in the hallway. For the most part I get a similar response in return. The odd time the look I get makes me think we are fighting each other for turf of female presence in the male environment.

5.  For the most part I still experience chivalry. Doors get help open for me, or I at least am offered to get through the door first if both headed in the same direction. There is generally still a 'ladies first' policy, and it's nice to see it hasn't totally gone out the window.

6. On the other hand, there are some guys that seem to take offence that women go to school here. There have been one or two offhanded comments in my direction, or some people who refuse to make eye contact with me in the hallway. It's just not necessary, and I don't garnish their behaviour with any response.

7. Despite being here for the same reasons as the guys, I've been hit on. I knew it was bound to happen, but really....what do they think us women are doing here? Scouting for our future husbands, who hopefully will make a decent income and be handy around the house? Why would I need a man who is like that when I am looking to be that for myself? (Not that I am complaining about a man being any of those things). But I am here, just like everyone else: to focus on school, do well at it, and ideally get into my career choice when I graduate.

Besides that, my experience has been just about completely positive. I was prepared for the worst, but things have been pretty smooth so far.

Today marks the start of term 2...

...and my 25th birthday! As I'm already in school, my quarter-life crisis started a little early, but I find it kind of fitting that the halfway point falls on my birthday.
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