Registration at the university

During this past summer, I had to register for courses for my last year of school, which meant going online as soon as the clock hits the start of the registration period and signing up for classes before the “best” ones become full! The process is rather competitive, particularly for seniors that want to choose their favourite professors to have as thesis advisors.

On the day that registration began, I realized that I had a few problems: I didn’t have enough credits from my previous years to register at the same time as everybody else, and I was lacking one required course in order to take any of the electives (which are most of the 4th year classes).

After an exchange of e-mails, I made an appointment with the chair of my program. His first availability was a week later! I thought, “it is hopeless,” yet somehow I knew that it was no use fretting and being attached to things, even class registration! I had to place my trust in God and do everything, even my schoolwork, for him.

A week went by, and I went in to my appointment with peace, in order to love. I told the chair about my plan on how I would finish my classes to graduate, and why I had not been able to register yet. He approved of my plan right away and allowed me to proceed to the 4th year, waiving the required course!

I went on to finish the registration paperwork. An administrative assistant showed some frustration and said that he wouldn’t be able to let me register for another week because he was behind with e-mails and other requests. All kinds of thoughts entered my mind, but I stopped myself right away and tried to put myself in his shoes. I wanted to show patience and respect and, making sure that I was not putting any more stress on him, I said, “This is a very busy time of the year, so I won’t mind waiting until next week.”

Maybe he was touched by my gesture, or Jesus moved his heart, but in the end, “because you came into the office in person,” he let me register right away. Further, since all four 4th year thesis classes happened to have an even number of students, he gave me the option to choose whichever professor I wanted as my senior thesis advisor. I thanked God for this experience and the opportunity to start my year on such a positive note. I am convinced that there is nothing to worry about if we strive to do what God desires for us in each moment.

By Maria-Gloria Kudo, Toronto

— with Rosa Kim (http://www.livingcitymagazine.com/)