Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Random Thoughts at the Beginning of the Spring Semester

As the Spring semester begins in the dead of winter I recall January 1972 as I entered the University of Rhode Island starting on my masters degree in chemistry. It felt very strange starting out in a new school in the middle of the academic year.  Last week a new graduate student in civil engineering approached me about research in sustainability in structural engineering.  It was nice to see such an enthusiastic student.

There are much less directional questions at this time since most students know their way around the campus.  However we will get our share of textbook questions after students see the prices at the bookstore.  There are slightly less students during the spring semester since some found out in the Fall that NJIT was not the right school for them.  Many students graduate as I did all those years ago in January.  Thus, most universities lose more students than they gain at this point.

Life goes on.

No comments: