When I was in high school I would hear the word matriculated bandied about. I knew it had *something* to do with college. It sounded so... important, complicated, and illustrious. I thought it might mean graduating with some sort of honor or perhaps at least making the dean's list. Imagine my disappointment when I learned from my trusty Webster's that all it meant was that you were accepted to a college or university and you had ponied up the enrollment fee.

Said fee is much higher now that it was the last time I paid one *cough cough* years ago. I just paid my $450 to UVM to enroll in the Computer Science degree program. I've been attending the university as a Continuing Education student for the past year; kicking the tires so to speak. I decided that I like it well enough to stick around. Plus it's less than half as expensive as the only other program in the area that appeals to me (Champlain College, in case you care).

So I'm matriculated. I didn't think I'd care this much. Heck, I'm on campus every weekday to pickup my partner, Rob, after work. I've taken three classes. But somehow it's different now that I'm enrolled. I feel more connected. And less like an imposter when I wear the UVM emblazoned gear that I've stolen borrowed from Rob.

 

My degree is several years off. It's hard to calculate as I haven't even started negotiating with them about what credits they'll take from my earlier educational forays. Probably in the neighborhood of 8 years at my current rate of 2 classes per semester. Yikes!