Upheaval of the Familiar

In a sudden flicker of intuition, I checked Harvard Extension School’s course catalog for the Spring 2013 semester. I had already selected my courses for this coming fall, prepared to register at 6:00am EST on July 30. The two online-option classes would allow me to complete preadmissions requirements from the comfort of my home in Minnesota, and I rejoiced in the assurance that my established level of performance would guarantee admittance to the Bachelor of Liberal Arts program. Come spring semester, I would enroll full-time as a degree-seeking candidate backed by federal student loans, which require full-time student status, and continue to conduct my studies online until next fall, at which point I would relocate for the on-campus experience. My plan was solid—until I perused the list of spring offerings.