A Strange Feeling

What a strange feeling it is, to step out of what might be the last academic exam you will ever take.

I walked out of the building, taking the long way to the bus loop. I used to take this path every morning to MATH 101 at 7:50am.

It’s a rainy day, just like most days in Vancouver. But the grass is green and the cherry blossoms are at the end of their bloom.

I took a minute to breathe in the air and take a look around. People are laughing, kids running around and cars are driving but it was still quiet.

I finally make it to the bus stop with my island walk. I watched my bus take off without me, 50 metres from the stop. Running for it felt a bit sacrilegious. I don’t even check when the next one is.

My favorite lunch spots are all around without really anyone inside. The turf field that I sat on to do work when it was sunny, is empty. The grocery store where I got my energy drinks to push through those long nights is closed.

It feels good in a way, like the campus doesn’t continue without you.

But you know that it will return. In September, new faces will show. Just as bright eyed and ready to take on the world as you were in first year.

I sat on the bus home from school one last time feeling a bit emotional. It definitely won’t be the last time I’m on this bus.

Watching the campus go by in the distance, I feel strange. Almost like saying goodbye to a good friend. One you had argued with and made up. One you had your best and worst days with.

I more feel sad that this friend will be different when you return. It wont feel the same. You wont be able to get a long like you used to. You won’t spend time the same way ever again. Both grown apart in different ways. Your memories together will be nothing but just memories.

I struggled to not shed a tear, embarrassed by the fact that I just called school my friend.

A bit of a cringey little piecing of writing as I walked out of my last exam a few weeks ago. We’ll be back to regularly scheduled programming soon. 🙂 

See you next week,
Max