Odd O'blography

New School Anxiety

Late for class / wearing pajamas / no homework / didn't study / surprise test / etc.

It's been over 40 years since I graduated from college, but I'm still dreaming variations on these themes. The most frequent scenario has me suddenly remembering that I signed up for a class, but never attended a lecture or opened the textbook. In my dream, I somehow know that today is the midterm, but I haven't been to class and I don't even know the room number. I wander aimlessly, already late, wallowing in the certainty of failure because I don't know the material.

And now there's a new wrinkle (pun intended). I dreamed last night that I'm back in school (at my current age), and living in the dorm. This time, I don't know my dorm room number, but it doesn't really matter because I don't have a key, either. I wander the halls aimlessly, looking for an RA to help me find my way home. There are a series of rooms and alcoves as I make my way up and down stairs, and along the corridors. Groups of students are playing pool, watching TV, or just hanging out. They smirk and make snarky comments about the 'old guy' as I pass by. I can't quite catch the words, but the tone is clearly not welcoming. And the topper? There are little piles of blue N95 masks on various tables and countertops, yet nobody in the dream is actually wearing one.

How's that for social anxiety?