Welcome back! It’s the start of the fall semester and you are pumped, right? You are ready for new classes, new professors, new found freedom after living at home this summer, promises you’ll study more this fall, you’ll get that resume started, you’ll eat better or workout more, and generally you’ll stick to a new plan and keep your enthusiasm up. You’ve said or thought all this, right? Who hasn’t…even faculty members do this every fall. In fact, most faculty will tell you that’s what they love about teaching college, the fresh new start every fall–new students, new classes, plans to get more work done, plans to get papers graded and returned more quickly, a new diet or exercise routine, get the office organized (again), and the list goes on. Students and faculty are more alike than you may realize.
My fresh start moment was Tuesday after my COM 205 course at 11:00 (shout out). I tried a new activity today that I believe started things off well. I had students review the syllabus and then develop questions that weren’t explicitly stated in the syllabus. Their questions ranged from will class go for the entire time to is the room always this cold to what is the best way to get in touch with me. I was amazed by the range of questions because it made me realize how much we take for granted in communication. On the first day of classes, I always figure, all the information students need is in the syllabus, students will understand what I expect by reading it. If I explain it enough, they’ll get it.
But when I had students develop questions that were not specifically answered in the syllabus, it revealed to me that we always don’t always share our assumptions with others. But when we give people an opportunity to ask questions, questions that will reveal implicit assumptions, communication reveals much more. It may seem like a small thing, but it reminded me how important it is to try new approaches to old problems, remain open to new ways of thinking and communicating, and to learn something new.
So, my first blog post of year is a challenge to you–it’s the beginning of the semester, do what you can to retain this enthusiasm throughout the semester, be open to learning something new, challenge your assumptions. You will gain so much from this approach.
Finally, for those of you how are new to this blog, welcome. As a COM major or minor I will email you new posts directly . It’s important that you know what’s going on in the department, so I will provide relevant information on opportunities and events that we provide to you. Below is a short list of events that I hope you will put on your calendar for the next month. More information will follow.
Legacy Day: Come celebrate the university’s 2005 name change this Friday, August 28, 3:00pm rededication of Siceluff hall, 5:00pm Free picnic on the North Mall.
COM WEEK: September 21-25. This is a week long event with information about careers, scholarships, and job placement for COM majors and minors. This year’s theme is “Oh the places you’ll go!” More information will follow.
Coming soon: Do you know where COM students do internships? Learn about the cool places they worked last summer…you’ll be amazed.