First Day of Classes
by Jeremy on Aug 20 2008 (1867 Views)Regardless of wheter you’re an undergrad, grad student, professor, industry worker, retired or anyone else who reads this blog, I wanted to wish everyone a happy start to the new school year! Though I openly admit I am tired of University life, there’s something refreshing about the first day of classes. As a scientist, I’m naturally curious to know what you all see on your campuses the first day of classes. I now present my experience in the first 20 min of the 2008-2009 academic year:
WARNING: MY CAMPUS IS HEAVILY GREEK
- The want-to-be sorority girl wearing shorts that are, well, just a little too high (these ones are sort of difficult to pick out, but they make you laugh).
- Two random guys talking about how [the University] has “a good shot” at winning a national championship this year (in football)
- The cookie cutter sorority girls complimenting each other’s shirts (“Your top is so cute!” I heard that 3 times between the 200 yards from where I park to where my research building is located)
- The freshmen girls decked out in Greek letters (shirt, flip-flops and tote bag) wearing huge sunglasses (it’s cloudy today)
- The fraternity guys wearing either bright, lime green or pink shirts while donning sunglasses (believe me, it’s incredibly cloudy today)
- I had to register my laptop 3 times with the University network even though I’ve been using the same computer for the past 3 years
- A full parking lot by 7:45 am (classes start at 8 am)
- People in suits passing out bibles
- The poster people in the student union (campus center)
- The only day you’ll actually see most professors dressed nice
- The only day you’ll actually see most professors on campus before 9 am
- The people at Starbucks were actually nice this morning (though somewhat groggy)
Like clockwork, I just got my first email this morning about tutoring for organic chemistry.
“I’m applying to medical school next year and absolutely need an A in organic.”
You and everyone else.
Ha, speaking of clockwork questions, I think I sent one of my profs an email that he probably gets every few semesters:
“I have the previous edition of the textbook, is that okay?” Though in my defense the previous edition was good and it’s not the kind of class where the science is going to have changed substantially since last semester.
I am fortunate (or unfortunate depending on how you look at it) to go to a school which is not heavily Greek, and there’s a large non-traditional student population which sort of brings up the average maturity level a little overall.
Of course, you forgot the large number of businesses set up with tables in the quad to hook all the lovely freshman into their loyalty programs and services.
My wife acted like the good student she is and bought her books weeks in advance of the courses she’s taking this fall. The first day of class yesterday, the professor says, “There’s been an error at the bookstore–they ordered the wrong edition. You’ll need to get the brand, new edition before Friday.” One hour at the campus center (trying to exchange her book) and $135 later, problem solved.
Only now, we’ve wasted one hour of life and $135 we don’t have. God, I love Universities.
that sounds like my alma mater. oh how nostalgic!