nsj: blog 
nsj's blog
back to school
Published Jun. 29, 2009Views: 498
For the first time in nearly a decade, I put on my "student" hat and hiked up to class.
(I know, I know, you never stop learning, and you're always a student. I mean "student" in the "formal education", "going to class", "getting a grade" kind of way.)
Some random observations from today's experience:
- Unlike my undergraduate experience so many moons ago, most students walking around today have a cell phone, iPod/iPhone, and/or some similar device. I also saw plenty of laptops and netbooks.
- Speaking of "similar devices", tracking the campus buses in real-time using the web and my phone is cool. Perhaps by the time the term is out, I will have figured out how to time my walk across the street to the closest stop.
- Today's weather really was deceivingly comfortable, especially with the breeze and in the shade. That said, if it's any hotter or more humid than today, I'm definitely going to want to ride the bus. (Well, those sitting around me will want me to have ridden the bus, anyway.)
- Our first task was to write a paragraph about why we were taking the class. I haden't written that much text on paper without the aid of a computer in years, and it showed. That includes what I write in greeting cards, which I typically type out and edit before transcribing it by hand.
- My handwriting is, to put it mildly, less than stellar. (This one will be no surprise to my wife who lovingly points this out to me regularly, usually after getting handwritten cards.)
- The mix of students in this rather small class was unlike any other class I've ever taken or taught -- in a good way, mind you. Of 15 students, all but one (yours truly) were humanities majors, including three majoring in creative writing. I'm pretty sure I couldn't name three creative writing majors from my undergrad days.
- Being in class reminded me of how much I enjoyed the little bit of college teaching I did a few years back -- and did little to quell the notion that I'd enjoy doing it again sometime.
- The IT folks at NC State really deserve a shout-out. My account was active well in advance of today's class, and the wifi access worked swimmingly on both of my devices, first try.
- Today reminded me of why I tended not to buy books until after I'd been to class at least once. An administrative mix-up resulted a change in instructor for this course. The original instructor had required three books totalling about $100; however, the new instructor only required one book ($20) and newspapers, and that change somehow didn't make it back up the chain to the bookstore. Waiting until today saved me the hassle of having to return $80 worth of books I won't need.
Back to work very early tomorrow morning with class to follow immediately. Here's hoping the weather's nice enough for another cross-campus walk . . .
Filed under: Education
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happy and JP: Thanks much!
GOLO member since October 31, 2007
June 29, 2009 8:08 p.m.
GOLO member since February 3, 2009
June 29, 2009 7:49 p.m.
Best of luck!
GOLO member since August 2, 2007
June 29, 2009 4:13 p.m.
GOLO member since May 1, 2008
June 29, 2009 4:11 p.m.
June 29, 2009 4:04 p.m.
GOLO member since May 1, 2008
June 29, 2009 4:04 p.m.
http://ncsu.transloc.com/
Here's hoping I can tag my future kids with these devices in the future.
GOLO member since October 31, 2007
June 29, 2009 3:57 p.m.
GOLO member since May 1, 2008
June 29, 2009 3:53 p.m.
NCT: Thanks. I know what you mean about the routine. There's a rhythm to academic life that I do miss. If everything goes right, this will open the door for me to pursue a master's, which should provide years worth of that rhythm! :)
GOLO member since October 31, 2007
June 29, 2009 3:49 p.m.
As much as I enjoy teaching, I really would love to be able to go back for my Masters and PhD. I love the routine of going to class, riding the buses, writing papers and doing projects.
GOLO member since July 8, 2008
June 29, 2009 3:45 p.m.
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