6 Ways to Know That You'd Be Happy As A Professional Student

Every so often, upon hearing that I'm returning to school for a grad degree, someone will make a pained face and say something like, "Ooh, I'm glad I never have to go back to school."

Do you feel that way? Because Janssen and I feel the opposite. We both really enjoy being in school, and if being a professional student paid a good living, we'd probably both continue our educations indefinitely.

Sure, there are always going to be some less desirable classes, teachers, and even classmates. And sometimes you can hardly wait till the end of the semester when you walk out of your last final, put your books on the shelf (or sell them) and your backpack away, and go out to celebrate.

But in my experience, for the most part, school rocks. Here are some of my favorite things about school:

1 - Introductory Classes -- Whenever I take introductory courses in a new subject, such as my current law class (I've never taken law before this), I find myself completely enthralled by the subject's history, the ongoing discussions and arguments, and the applicability to my life. I all of the sudden feel like I need to know everything in the new field, and that I've been missing out by not having ever studied the subject. Such classes really make me feel like I'm expanding my understanding of the world we live in, and I love that feeling.

2 - New Friends -- In my experience, there's no better place to get to know people and make new friends than at school, especially if you're willing to just put yourself out there. I've been impressed with the quality of the students in my graduate accounting program so far, and it has only been a few days (my macroeconomics course was a pre-req that I completed at a community college) since we began classes. They all seem smart, outgoing, and interesting, and I look forward to getting to making some lasting friendships throughout the next year.

3 - Inspiring Teachers -- It's unbelievable to me how much of a difference the quality of the teacher makes on the classroom experience. Both of my new teachers are good. My law professor, in particular, is extremely interesting, has a great sense of humor, and seems very organized and helpful. Teachers like him make learning easy, fun, engaging, and inspiring. They make me want to do things, to be a better person, and to learn more and more and more.

4 - Variety -- The longest classes last one semester. There's always a change of scenery just around the corner.

5 - Flexibility -- Even with demanding course loads, I've always liked the time flexibility of school. You usually get to choose the time of your classes, and you always get to choose when to do your homework. In the middle of doing your homework, you can watch a movie if you really feel like it (I'm illustrating a point, not making a recommendation). Between classes, even if it's just a ten or fifteen minute break, you have a chance to get up, walk around, talk to classmates, make a call, finish homework, or do whatever. As a student returning to school after some full-time work experience, I recognize how flexible school really is.

6 - I'm a Good Student -- I've had a lot of practice being a student and am fairly good at it by now. And like most people, the better I am at something, the more I tend to like it.

What about you? Do you love school, too? Or are you happy to be done with school forever (or excited to finally finish and be done)?