Years back, when I was an undergrad at the University of St. Thomas, some friends and I fell in love with the concept of J-Term (who wouldn’t?). If you are unfamiliar with this term, first let me be the first to apologize to you. J-Term is essentially the time given in-between the fall semester and spring semester at some local colleges. Rather than taking four classes during the four month fall and spring semester, you can take one class for the month of January. Or, in an effort to take full advantage of the undergraduate experience, you can simply sit out J-Term.
I could go on and on about all the reasons sitting out J-Term makes the most sense. Suffice it to say, that sitting out J-Term allows you to have half the total time given for summer vacation. It allows for a six week break for J-Term versus the three months given for summer. Taking this time off to clear your head and get ready for the spring semester, still allows a person to graduate in four years (with only a little adjusting of your schedule). My roommates and I would start the J-Term countdown on the first day of classes in the fall. As the days got colder, the number got smaller. It was extremely exciting when that number first went into double digits, then it was single digits. I am not one to wish my life away, but J-Term to a college student is analogous to Christmas for a six-year old….only it lasts for SIX WEEKS, not 24 hours.
Since I don’t see any company offering a J-Term in their benefits tucked neatly between Christmas Day and President’s Day (and that would be ALL of those days), I have found another month that can be exciting. March. You may be thinking people take trips in March, occasionally there will be a hint of spring in the air, etc. I am thinking COLLEGE BASKETBALL. The conference tournaments, March Madness, and, naturally, the annual trip to Vegas (this deserves its own blog).
As a professional, going to work every day, I find myself counting down the days until March. I really don’t think there is anything like college basketball. This is true in November, December, January and February. But it is especially true in March. It can make you feel 21 again watching college kids play a game they love (for the most part), watching the students in the stands dolling their painted faces, school colors, jeans and plans for the party after their school wins. Watching players, students, parents, coaches, faculty all cheering like the next 20 years of their life depends on each game, and in some cases, each shot, is truly exciting.
The conference tournaments start in early March and it just builds up from there. Selection Sunday you can count me out for any plans, that is unless you care to sit down and watch the selection show with me. I know that day more than I know any other day of the year. After all of the teams are announced, I will look at the brackets for a few minutes and then I will be on the phone. Hours of discussions and debates will follow. Who do you like? Where are the upsets? Who is ready to carry their team?
This is exciting. The countdown is approaching single digits. March is almost here. I’m pretty much busy every Thursday – Sunday in March. It could be 30 below zero and 80 and sunny. This kid will be in front of the TV.
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