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Back to School: Round 2, Week 10

Well, this was a hell week. Tests, assignments and labs in just about every class, which translates to 1 or more assessments each day. That alone was enough to keep my brain busy. Unfortunately, I had some personal stuff to cope with as well, and that only served to take up some much needed mental capacity.

I was determined to start this week off right. I knew it was going to be crazy, so I was trying to have the right attitude to serve me through all of the tests to come. That didn't last long. I had a test in my second class on Monday that I somehow was not aware of (which is not like me to not be on top of those things.) This misstep seemed to set the tone for the rest of my week. I passed the test, but it wasn't with what I would normally be okay with. I had to let that go, so I could carry on. I still had another test that afternoon.  

Wednesday was most certainly the hump day. Sometimes you don't realize how much you are holding yourself together until you fall apart. Right in the middle of an electronics lab test. Now, this one I had studied for, so I was feeling fairly confident going in. I didn't need to rush, so I took my time building the circuit and checked and rechecked to make sure I wasn't going to have a puff of smoke when I applied power. Except I couldn't get power. Or at least, I couldn't get the meter to work to tell me how much power I had. I spent 10 minutes trying another meter, checking the settings, but nothing. And that was it. Coupled with the background conversations in my brain playing out from my personal conundrums, I couldn't hold it in anymore. 

I kept my head down, the last thing I wanted anyone to see was me crying. Especially because school on its own was no where near enough to bring me to this state. I won't lie: I knew I had already passed the class in marks, so a couple times I seriously contemplated handing in a blank sheet just to get the hell out of there. However, my stubbornness won out, and with help from the teacher to at least get the meter working. I pushed through the lab, answered the questions and filled out the charts. I still got a 75% which for me in electronics is alright. At that point I was just desperate to leave. 

The last couple days were easier. One test on Thursday, and two tests and a shop project on Friday rounded off the week. By Friday afternoon, there was a feeling of relief that seemed to wash over the group, along with the realization that we're going to miss seeing each other every day. We had gotten used to it without even realizing it, the last ten weeks bonding us together. Plans were made to hang out and grab a drink after the last test. Out of the 60 people in our program, I'd swear I saw almost half of them come and go from the bar down the street. 

It was nice to hang out, it gave some closure. Phone numbers were exchanged and Facebook friends added. I got the sense that no one wanted to leave, to say goodbye. It was bittersweet, yes school was over, and people would be back to work, making money again. And yes, these new friends would be missed. 

For me, I have my add-on course in solar panel systems and installation. I know of one person from my group that is taking it as well, but the rest will be new faces. As the class runs only for 1 week, it will be no where near the journey that the last ten weeks has been. 

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