Chapter 21 of Tales That I Can Remember by Elsie Swagerty Burton
Going to San Jose State didn’t much change my overall daily scheduling. I still drove the brothers in to school, except I sometimes had to be at school earlier than the brothers, but I still had to wait until late in the day to go home. I really should have had my homework done in that time, but I had an important relationship to nurture. It was difficult to keep grades up to the passing level.
During high school I had not availed myself of what were called commercial courts where typing, filing, etc. were tight. Now they were required. In addition, I was introduced to Psychology and some science.
Our two year course as nearing completion when Ada and I had a falling out. It was during a Public Health and Hygiene class the instructor asked for volunteers for various experiments. One was for a person who had recently been kissed. Ada volunteered me. I never would have volunteered myself. I was much too shy for that. Harry had visited us at noon, just before our class time and, of course, we kissed. She thought I would be a perfect candidate. I don’t believe I ever did really forgive her even though we have had many good times since. I can still feel the embarrassment before the class. In fact, I felt it was because of jealously that she had done it; she didn’t have a boyfriend at that time. I don’t remember very much of the details of the days I spent at San Jose State – just a flash now and then.
• Because of the flu I spent about a week at the infirmary. As I recall, I sort of enjoyed my stay.
• Since my standing in the physiology class was precarious at best, my absence while in the infirmary clinched my failure.
• Because I failed to perform a dance for a final, I had to repeat a gym class.
• Before or after swimming class one was obliged parade around in the nude to and from the showers. I found that a bit trying.
• Since I found shorthand similar a foreign language, and I had experienced difficulty with Spanish after the early beginnings, I had problems with shorthand after the first quarter.
• Since I was able to perform my typing assignments well, I enjoyed it.
• Because Psychology I and II were required, I was introduced to the subject and found ever so fascinating. I took course after course as electives. There was a field trip to Agnews which I found very painful but enlightening.
• Whereas I found my speech class stressful at times, it had its moments of pleasure.
• During the last quarter, the Dental Assistant students were scheduled to a stint of three weeks of practice in four different dentists’ offices.
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