Top Ten Reasons Why Being a Non-Student Rules

I recently started reading Mama Kat’s blog, and I’ve been interested in the writing prompts she has every week. I decided to do it this week because the prompt is ten reasons I’m glad I’m done with school, and this is the first week of classes at UW. Let’s just say the stars aligned. This is the first fall I haven’t been in school since I started going to school, and don’t get me wrong, I love (loved?) school. I love school supplies, I like writing assignments in my planner, and I LOVE the feeling after a big project is turned in and over with. I was a little worried that this week would feel weird without class, but so far so good, and for the following reasons:

1. I have time to read what I want. It’s not like I totally deprived myself of reading fun stuff when I was in school, but I always did so knowing I should be working on school. The guilt was overwhelming, which leads me to . . .

2. No more homework-related guilt!

3. Reclaiming post-dinner hours. While I was working on my MLIS, I did most of my schoolwork after dinner. My schedule kind of sucked because I would work all day, come home to make dinner, and then have to sit down and crank out some reading or paper writing (or procrastinate and then stress out). Now that I’m done with school, there’s all kinds of time post-dinner for activities. Don’t judge me that some of these activities include watching Teen Mom. It’s a weakness.

4. Hobbies. In my newfound hours, I have the ability to take up hobbies. I haven’t done this yet, but hey, it’s early in my post-school life. Eventually, I’d like to get into refinishing furniture, decorating my house, running more, writing, thrifting, learning to cook . . . so many options.

5. Less book clutter. Z and I were in school at the same time, so the only time that my house didn’t look like a library had just thrown up was the five minutes immediately following my weekly cleaning. I can (usually) see the top of my kitchen table now that we don’t have makeshift study spaces scattered across the house.

6. Weekends. Weekends are so much better post-school. During school, I could have one free day, but then the other weekend day had to be spent catching up on homework and knocking out all my household chores too. Without homework, Z and I have more chances to head out of town or just relax. I’m also hoping that more weekend time means that my house will be cleaner, but I’m not sure who is supposed to notify the cleaning fairy that I’ve graduated . . .

I’ve run dry. I know that there have to be all kinds of things I’m overlooking, or at least four more to round out my list, but these are the big ones that come to mind.

Readers, are you done with school and have awesome reasons why? Anyone currently in school (*cough* Sarah Marie *cough*) and loving it? Thinking of going back to school? Discuss.