15 Tweets about Starting Seminary at 30

Last month, I started seminary after eight years working professionally as a writer and editor. Going back to grad school full-time at age 30 has been a bit of an adjustment in some ways. Here are tweets about the transition.

1. IS THIS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LEAVE SEATTLE — WHY DID NO ONE WARN ME?

My new office doesn’t have a coffee maker. I’m confused. Do they make offices without coffee makers? Currently drinking something called tea and questioning everything.

— Beth Douglass (@BethDouglass) September 28, 2018

2. At least we have technology.

I’ve never used spell check as much as taking class notes in seminary. sry I have no idea how to spell Athanasius.

— Beth Douglass (@BethDouglass) September 11, 2018

3. I was not prepared for this.

What is the past tense of schism? help

— Beth Douglass (@BethDouglass) September 11, 2018

4. Studying the Bible, though.

I don’t enjoy watching the Real Housewives enough to really get into the Genesis/Old Testament.

— Beth Douglass (@BethDouglass) September 16, 2018

5. Dexter, Shameless, and …

Ok so to be able to remember all the names associated with the church councils, I’m going to choose actors to cast in the Showtime series about all this, because the drama is insane.

— Beth Douglass (@BethDouglass) October 8, 2018

6. ^^ see above

And the story of King David is like something out of the Sopranos. My professor just said so. Agh, this would be such a great blog post why do I have NO time to write for fun?

— Beth Douglass (@BethDouglass) October 9, 2018

7. #westcoastbestcoast

Will someone please tell the entire East Coast that not everyone from the West Coast is from California? Not asking for a friend.

— Beth Douglass (@BethDouglass) September 26, 2018

8. I think it is tho

Greek is a continual rollercoaster of
1. THIS IS INSANE, I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND THIS
2. studying until your brain bleeds
3. WAIT, DO I ACTUALLY GET IT??! followed by a near-immediate
4. THIS (NEXT CONCEPT) IS INSANE, I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND THIS

wash, rinse, repeat forever

— Beth Douglass (@BethDouglass) September 13, 2018

wait is hyperbole also a Greek word? i need a nap

— Beth Douglass (@BethDouglass) September 13, 2018

9. moar coffee plz

When I was 20, 10pm-1am were some of my most productive hours. At 30, my brain is done by 9:30 & mad at having to concentrate so hard anytime after dinner.

How do people do this? Get up at 5am? I feel like everyone with kids must be laughing rn

— Beth Douglass (@BethDouglass) October 4, 2018

10. *hugs everyone*

Ok so people here say “adjacent” in casual conversation—like “coffee-adjacent” or “hope-adjacent.” I’m usually the only one & I feel v. seen rn

— Beth Douglass (@BethDouglass) September 8, 2018

11. *cries*

See, the thing with this Greek homework is, I don’t know what the Greek words mean … but I’m really not sure what the words in English mean, either 😆 pic.twitter.com/buWxzkoQsC

— Beth Douglass (@BethDouglass) September 23, 2018

12. I. miss. them. so. much.

I used to wonder if I was being too lax by giving the Snapchat and IG teams the first week of the quarter off. This is my 1st full week of classes in 8 years—and I think past me made the right call.

— Beth Douglass (@BethDouglass) September 11, 2018

13. *naps*

Me, skipping going out with classmates tonight to catch up on my introverting. But also, I have class at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow, a quiz & a speech. so this is fine pic.twitter.com/1dwjSmduFd

— Beth Douglass (@BethDouglass) September 14, 2018

14. It’s a play on words. I don’t know. I’m tired.

Sometimes I think having studied some Japanese is making Greek easier. Other times it’s definitely more confusing. Σωζω よろしくお願いします。

— Beth Douglass (@BethDouglass) October 2, 2018

15. Sitting in Church History 1100 like:

I’m not really sure who Polycarp is. I’m sure I’ll know in a couple of days. Sounds like a great starter-level water Pokémon tho

— Beth Douglass (@BethDouglass) September 5, 2018