Computers for Dummies

Well I’m back and boy have I got a story for you. One of my classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays is called Microcomputer Skills. I know it sounds difficult, but it is probably the easiest class…well at least for me it is.

Well, I was walking up the stairs to the computer lab on my first day of school. I entered the lab and found a seat fairly close to the door. I was happy when I saw one of my high school friends walk in, and luckily, there was a seat next to me open. All that happiness vanished as soon as she walked through the door.

I didn’t know her, but she sat down at the empty computer next to me. I said the complimentary “hello” with a smile of course, and then class started. Now just looking at this girl she looked nice and smart, but then she opened her mouth. I knew I was in trouble as soon as she asked me, “Are you good with computers?” That was it. Could I handle this? Was I fully prepared on my first day of college for her? I would soon find

out.

Our teacher told us that if we didn’t have a book to share with the person next to us. Well I looked over, and low and behold, she did not have a book. Not to mention she was sitting on the end of the row so I was her only neighbor. I thought to myself, “Maybe she is having a rough time her freshman year.”  So the kind person that I am, I let her share my book. The teacher told us to start on page 58 and work our way through on our own. The first instructions was to push the Control button. That was easy and I hurried along and got to the end of the page. I then asked her if she was done so that I could flip the page. She said no. I noticed she was having trouble so I politely asked if I could help. Bad move, Erin, bad move! She said she was having trouble with number one. Okay, I can handle this.

I read the instructions out loud, “Push the Control Button.” She did nothing. Maybe she didn’t hear me. I repeated myself. Then she started pushing random buttons on the keyboard. I thought in my mind, “Are you serious?” She just looked at me. I pointed to the Control button, “This is the Control button.” She smiled and said thank you.

Well that was over. But oh no, it had just begun. I noticed she was having trouble again. So I asked her, “What’s wrong?” Bad move again. She pointed to the instructions. I read, “Click on the word.” I kind of just looked at her. She said, “What does this mean?” I said, “You need to click on this word” and pointed to the word. Easy, right? Nope. She clicked above the word. “No, click on the word.” She clicked before the word. So finally, I grabbed her mouse and clicked the word for her. She smiled and said thank you again. I gave her a loving grin as I tried to hold back my frustration.

Oh you are probably saying to yourself that’s all of my story. Well it’s not. The instructions said to right-click the word. I was working on my own stuff when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked at her. She smiled as she said, “I need help.” I thought to myself, “Boy is that true!” I told her, “Just right-click the word.” She immediately went for the keyboard. “No, just right-click your mouse on the word.” Again she went for the keyboard. Finally I just got her mouse and did it for her. Then the teacher announced that class was over. Hallelujah! I was free! I quickly rushed out of class and went straight to my mom’s office to recuperate!

I knew college would be difficult, but I was not prepared for this!

~ by Erin on September 7, 2007.