Before I knew it, we had been living in Ireland for two weeks and I was finally on my way to school. Bob and Wade started a little later so I went without them, catching the train with Lady Gaga blaring in my ears for the 25 minute ride to school. There were several students strewn about the train car either reading or sleeping. Wade, Bob, and I took a trip to campus a few days ago to get our schedules, tour campus, and buy our books. I was excited to be back in the classroom; yes I am one of those people that love school.
My very first class was with Professor Keegan, a world renowned surgeon who retired to teaching after a hand injury ended her career. In the first years of college, I read many of her medical journals for papers and found her to be absolutely brilliant. When I found out she was teaching in Dublin, I knew I needed to take her course. When I told Bob and Wade my plan they decided to come with me so we could experience it together. When I got to Dr. Keegan's classroom, the room was totally packed despite class not starting for another half hour. I found and empty seat and pulled my book and laptop out of my bag like the other students had done. While looking through my bag, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"I'm sorry to bother you but do you have a highlighter?" A pretty girl with long blonde hair asked me.
"Sure thing, let me just find it." I dug through my bag and found two highlighters. "Pick one." I offered her. She took the pink one.
"Thank you. I'm Amy."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Mark."
"What brings you to Ireland?"
"Dr. Keegan did, I admire her work very much."
"She is wonderful, I took a class of hers two years ago and when she offered this class I jumped at the opportunity."
"I'm glad to hear I didn't waste my time then."
"I don't think you will. Just a tip, if you are ten minutes early, you're on time. That's why there are so many people here now."
"Thanks for the heads up, I appreciate it."
"Sure thing." She smiled sweetly at me and turned to her book, highlighting a few lines. While I watched her, a collective hush fell over the room. I spotted a small woman hustling into the room. She walked up to the chalkboard, wrote her name eloquently, and faced the class.
"Good morning class. My name is Dr. Keegan, but you may call me Professor Keegan if you wish. This is Pediatric Health and Residency. For the first six weeks of class we will be in the classroom and the last half will be spent at various hospitals and doctor's practices for your internships. Now, open your computers to the address written on the board and turn your texts to chapter one."
An hour and a half later my first class was over. I learned so much and I was secretly fangirling the entire time Dr. Keegan was giving her lecture. I made my way to the cafeteria where I was meeting Bob for lunch. I purchased myself a slice of pizza and a drink. I couldn't find Bob so I found myself a seat and waited for him, going over the syllabus for my next class.
"Hey Mark how was your first class?" Bob interrupted a few minutes later by sitting down in front of me with his lunch a small stack of old books.
"It was amazing! Dr. Keegan was everything I hoped for and in 6 weeks I get to intern at the hospital's pediatric ward!"
"That's great! You will be perfect for that."
"How was your class?" I asked him. I took a bite of my pizza, finding it surprisingly delicious.
"It was pretty good. You know law is law."
"What's with the books?" I gestured to his little stack.
He glanced at them and rolled his eyes like they were gum stuck to his shoe, "I have a paper due on Friday." he groaned.
"Already!? That's crazy, how long does it have to be?"
"2,500 words!"
"Damn, I am so glad I am just going to medical school." I laughed.
We finished our lunches and parted ways to our next classes. After my day was over, I was loaded down with homework. Bob and Wade wouldn't be home for another hour so I planned on cooking dinner for them before settling in and getting my homework done. For Keegan's class we were to read all of chapter one and take notes. While I waited for the train, I opened up my text and began to read. After a few paragraphs, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"Hey, Mark right?" I looked up to find Amy standing over me.
"Hey, yeah Mark. How was your day?"
She sat beside me and sighed, "It was very long, four classes."
"Wow, ambitious."
"How was yours?"
"Long, it's only the first day and I am looking at about three hours of homework and a 25 minute train ride home."
"Well that's college for you. Just a tip, if you sit in the sixth car, they have booths with tables and by the time you get home you will have Keegan's notes done."
"You are awfully helpful with all of these tips."
"I've been around the block a few times."
A whistle signaled my train approaching. "Thanks again, Amy. I will see you in class on Wednesday."
"Sure thing." I stood and got in line for the sixth car. The doors opened and I trudged in, finding an empty booth and climbing in. Several other students were doing the same as me, getting a jump on there homework. Amy interrupted my thoughts by sliding in an plopping down across from me.
"Let's get to work." She announced.
"You got it." I opened my book and laptop and got to work.
By the time I made it to my stop, my notes for Keegan's class were done as well as the first page of my paper for my next class. I said goodbye to Amy and walked the six blocks back to the apartment. I set my books down, took off my pants and started dinner.
I was bent over the counter reading a chapter about Pediatric Cardiology when Bob and Wade finally came back from school.
"Hey Mark, smells great in here what are you making?" Wade asked.
"It's spaghetti with turkey and garlic bread."
"I love having a wife." He teased.
"How's your paper coming Bob?" I asked ignoring Wade.
"I've written 950 words so far so almost halfway done. We sat in one of those dinner cars and did our homework at the tables."
"I did the same thing! I got homework done for one class and half a paper for another class so now I am halfway done with all of my homework for Wednesday."
The three of us sat at the counter eating spaghetti and talking about our classes. Everyday forward was exactly the same and it was wonderful. On the weekends Bob and Wade frequented clubs, pubs, and concerts where I preferred to spend my weekends reading and studying. They constantly berated me to join them, but I just wasn't interested, especially since they usually ended up with dates for the night and I would end up by myself anyway.