OT - off to uni I go.....

In a couple of weeks I go back to uni full time after a break of 21 years. I am going back to La Trobe in Bundoora where I graduated with a BA and I've noticed a few changes.

Back in 1985 when I first enrolled as a young idealistic socialist, uni was exciting, I joined the student union [I had to, had no choice] I remember when I first went I wondered how long it would be before I would join my first student protest......I studied politics I thought I could change the world, the union building was a hot spot for radicals and dope smoking; one day I told Austen Tayshus where to go [he was lost and I pointed him in the right direction :)], there used to be a co-op where you could buy vegetables and mung beans cheap. I remember taking an instant dislike to a guy in one of my tutes because he drove an audi and went to Europe skiing on his summer break. I met Dr Jim Cairns and the actor Graeme Blundell and thought it couldn't get any better than this, life was good.

Now in 2008 I am able to look at Uni with older wiser eyes. The student union is gone, it is now a guild and is optional [I joined up again] the buildings are the same, the smell is the same and I noticed the other day when I was there, they are still protesting they still look idealistic and they all look young. The facilities have improved, no need to go the union for a cuppa, and secondary dope smoke, there's a juice bar in the Agora and an Indian restaurant, the book shop has computers with internet access and there's a hairdresser where you can get a fake tan. I am not studying politics, but education, I'm not sure if I'll go on any protests...depends what the protest is about, the bar is still in the union so I might have to drag myself over there...the biggest change now is that...23 years ago, I had no direction, I plodded along, got my degree, got a job and plodded along again..this time I go with a purpose and a goal, my life has changed dramatically, somewhere along the way I grew up.

Lyn

PS...and now I'd really like to drive an Audi TT