What you can learn from your tutor

Miss Stoneman, your admissions tutor, once confessed that she was impressed at how the younger generation managed to keep up with the ever-changing trends. This made you uncomfortable. (You envy your housemates for having a laptop and tablet. You're fine with the laptop, but you wish for an E-book at times.) She also lauded her former students who weren't conventionally successful. They loved what they were doing.

You were too young for this kind of conversation. Besides, it would take many years before you reach middle age. Your tutor quoted a line from one of Victor Hugo's books. (The 40s would be the old age of youth.) You became curious of her thoughts on middle age, as you figured out she might said a few things that would help you in your coursework. But you got more than you wanted.

It happened on a Friday night, when everyone was looking forward to an uneventful weekend. You haven't seen her for a while. You were eager to tell her about your improvement in your writing skills. (You believe you'll be able to submit your papers ahead of the deadline next term.) You thought it would be chit-chat, but some of what your tutor said made an impression on you. You would recall them one more time:

You better get moving as early as possible. Your tutor admired your unusual dedication to literature, which prompted her to give you an unconditional offer. You were surprised when she told you she wasn't like that (during your age). She wasn't keen to read the other titles in other genres, which she regretted later. (She didn't foresee an academic career back then.) She seemed to be in a hurry, wanting to achieve many things. (She wants to indulge in landscape photography, but she can't be away from the university for three months or so. She's also a homebody.) This makes you value your time. Not that you let opportunities pass up, but you're not aware of it.

There are no grown-ups. Your tutor revealed her childlike exuberance at times, which delighted you. She noticed it, prompting her to tell you that there was no such thing as a grown-up. Many people of her age would try to act one, with varying results. This was something you would only suspect at a young age, she added. Confirmation would come later than she thought, which would be too late. She didn't mind a display of immature behavior by your coursemates now and then. She could see their good side, even their potential. It would make you admire her more.

Never take sleep for granted. You managed to do well with a few hours of sleep, but your tutor warned you not to do it often. The time will come when it catches up on you, and it can have serious effects. She found this out early on, but she had another reason. She would need her granny nap. You resolved to sleep for six hours or more.