I think I’ve been traumatized by the French education system.
Each year, in June, I feel stressed out as if I had to do some last-minute cramming. Early in July, I can’t help reading the many articles in French newspapers about the Baccalauréat (national high school graduation exam) results and analysis. And to me, September is still the beginning of the year, “la rentrée” as French say, even though I’m not starting a new school year anywhere.
I’ve been out of full-time school for a while now—I graduated from high school ten years ago and from university in France six years ago. I took a few university classes in Canada but really, I’m not a student anymore.
So why does September always feel so… academic?
When I walked by The Bay the other day, I couldn’t help taking a picture of this stack of chalk, part of a “back to school” window display. I can still smell the chalk dust in my dream… yep, I’m traumatized.
Or maybe it’s a sign that you’re dying to go to school for more 🙂
Mmm… not sure. I love learning but my experience with university here wasn’t as good as I expected. But I’ll probably take more classes at some point in the future!
When I was in my early 20s I had occasion to visit an elementary school and was struck by the unique smell of the room. It was this familiar odor of cedar shavings from the pencil sharpener, sweaty little children, and dusty school books. I closed my eyes and went back 20 years. The smell of that room brought back a flood of memories.
I know exactly what you are talking about! A slightly different smell for me, but yes, it’s the school smell that brings us back to our elementary school days.
I’m nostalgic of black boards and chalk… I can’t stand the white ones! 😉
I’ve always loved la rentrée, even when I was a child. Autumn is fantastic! I had (and still have) new shoes, new pens, a new coat… I’ll always be “on schedule” with the academic year!
I used to love buying new stylo-plumes in high school. It was a great way to start the year! And all these listes de fournitures that drove our parents crazy 😆
I just *bought* a black board, with chalk sticks and all, for the new house. It presides over the kitchen, and I love it 😀
Another French “traumatized” by the tableau noir 😉
I used to hate the ‘back to school’ ads when I was in school. The ads started in early August when it was still summer vacation… hated to be reminded of school when i still had 4 weeks of holidays left!
Wow! When I was a kid in France school only started mid-September I think. It starts earlier now, in the first few days of September.
Never like schools. But give me long school hols! Gotta love that.
At least, you are enjoying nice weather all year round 😉
I can understand how you feel Zhu, I graduated in Year 2003, did a post-graduate in 2009 and now I feel the need to be ‘intellectually engaged’ again……, a kind of syndrome I suppose.
At least, it’s a good syndrome 🙂
I miss the blackboard! 😀
So I’m not the only one, eh!
Hi Zhu!
I love your blogs. Did you ever have exam dreams after you graduated? Years after I graduated from University I had dreams about exams that I was not prepared for. I desperately tried to research the proper material but it was a dream so it did not happen. Exams can certainly be stressful. They could only allow three exams in 2 days. I remember writing two three hour exams in one day then cracking my law books at 12:00 a.m. and going to University with no sleep to write another exam. My finger had a permanent dent from squeezing the pen. Yeah then everyone had the bright idea to go to the bar to celebrate. One drink and your are very tired. The bus goes around and you are still sleeping past your stop. University was an exciting and interesting time in my life but I don’t miss the exams.
Regards from Saskatchewan. It has been very hot and rainy out here all summer. 28C today. Lucky I work in air conditioning. It is funny because I don’t look forward to quitting work and the hot bus ride home where I usually fall asleep. Haven’t missed my stop yet fingers crossed.
I love looking at your pictures of Ottawa. After a stressful day I love looking at you website. When I retire I am going to spend more time in Eastern Canada. I visited Toronto and Montreal and London in 92 while going to University of Western Ontario. I had a great time and they understood my French and the people are so friendly. I expected anti-Englais in Quebec. It didn’t happen the more we partied in Montreal the better my French got. Can you believe they said my French was better then theirs. My French is Paris French but I think that Quebec French is just as valid even though harder to understand.
I remember that Pierre Trudeau said once that “Nous sommes tous Canadiens” I for one celebrate our differences! Nous sommes tous une famille. P.S. Pardon my French it is communication that counts n’est pas vrais!
Hi and nice to meet you! Your French was perfect 😉
I occasionally dream that I have to take my high school graduation exam again, and it is usually a nightmare as I am not ready at all. Most French have this nightmare at one point or another I guess, the “Bac” is a real rite of passage over there!
It’s been very hot in Ontario as well, almost too hot, even though I usually can take the heat and humid we regularly experience in the summer. I have never had the chance to visit Saskatchewan but I certainly hope to, the license plate with “the land of the living skies” makes it very attractive!
Alright, this is probably weird, I used to actually eat chalk when I was a kid, I don’t now of course 🙂
… I use to eat Play-doh…
Hands down! You win lady
It tasted salty!!