Harazewski
Blog 1660
10-1-21
Transcript Time Machine
I recently did something kind of unusual- I got a copy of my college transcripts. It was short of a fluke, in that I needed them in order to get into a program at this prison, but the fact is, Ive actually been wanting to see them for awhile now. A few years ago, I discovered the power of reviewing old records when I got hold of some of my old cellphone bills. Looking through all the calls I made or received over 2 years was a time-machine experience...... seeing forgotten phone numbers along with the days and times of the calls, all that brought so many memories gushing forth. I could suddenly recall lost conversation over specific stretches of highway or on some particular rainy night, some with people Id almost forgotten I even knew. It was kind of amazing, really. The experience made me eager to see other old records as well, and now that I have these transcripts from my last college, Im not disappointed. They cover 5 semesters over 2 and a half years, and honestly, its a little surprising to see some of the 21 classes I took during that time. I mean.... well, I took some pretty interesting stuff :). "Psychology of Motivation"? "Environmental Hazards"? "Philosophy of Law"? "Sexual Ethics"? Seeing all that now, just like with the phone records, I'm flooded with warm, pleasant memories of professors and fellow students I hadn't thought of in years, and of classrooms, quads, and entire buildings I'd nearly forgotten. I "see" it all again now like it happened yesterday, all the class discussions, odd and intriguing individuals, awkward moments, or even just the specific snacks I'd buy between classes or the paths and routes I skated or biked to get from one building to the next on, say, Tuesdays and Thursdays around 3 pm :). The sights and smells, the squirrels playing in the trees that would warily approach to snatch one of the salty curly fries I often offered to share. Maybe best of all, though, Im now remembering stuff I learned, too. Lessons and facts I'd mostly forgotten, entire subject areas I once conversant in but had lost touch with..... just a lot of knowledge that's come back to me, not always completely, but at least such that I can now look it up and find I have a great head start on really understanding and committing it to memory. Seeing the classes I've taken reminds me of the essays I wrote and the research I did for them. I really think seeing those old transcripts is literally making me smarter. It's an outstanding return on an easy and thoroughly delightful trip down memory lane, all sparked by simply looking at a single piece of paper. Not bad, eh? Next, Id really like to get hold of transcripts from all the other colleges I studied at, see what those 96 credits worth of classes brings back to me. And... high school too! Can you imagine poring over 4 years of perhaps the most formative time of your life? What, people, smells, experiences and feelings might that bring back to you? Well, I hope to find out. Wish me luck!
If anyone reading this has similar experiences, Id love to hear about them. Please share!
*You can write to me at:
Dymitri Haraszewski
AC2622 Coyard
P.O. Box 409060
Ione, CA 95640