Juniper |
01-14-2009 11:35 PM |
Get ready for a big brag. I gotta do it! I stopped in to see one of my profs from last quarter and pick up my exam and my research paper. I know most students wouldn't bother, because it's the final grade that counts and we already know that. But I am the curious type. Plus I was hoping she'd commented on the paper. She did, and said she'd written more on mine and a couple others than on most of them because she knew who would come and get them. :)
Well, the exam grade was 94 and the paper was 96. She told me that I had real talent, a poetic and expressive writing style and lots of other really nice things. She encouraged me to fix up a few minor things in the essay and submit it to the school's literary publication. It was just so gratifying to hear this! Really made my day, especially as I am struggling with another paper right now.
This is a new experience for me, having relationships with profs that go beyond one semester. When I went to college last time, it seemed that once the finals ended they would hardly acknowledge your presence should they share an elevator ride. I guess it's a matter of gaining focus in your major and developing a mentor relationship.
I stopped in to see this one prof after taking an online class from her spring quarter--just told her I wanted to meet her F2F, you know--and she turned out to be a warm, wonderful lady. I already knew she would be, because we'd shared a few personal e-mails during the course. I saw her in the hall last quarter and she said she'd like to meet me for coffee one day. I want to also, because I want to hear about her trip to Italy last month!
I guess that's one of the perks of being an older student - the teachers, despite their professional role, are also kind of my peers, considering that if I met them socially we'd be on even footing. Actually I do have a few friends who are college profs elsewhere.
But you have to earn it. I mean, they probably cringe when older students come in and just automatically assume a certain familiarity. Hell, it makes ME cringe when I see it. Seems there's always one in every class (not me!) who thinks they've "outgrown" proper classroom protocol and dominates the class discussion. At least I hope I don't come off that way. I do often have a lot to say. ;)
Damn, I love college. I'm often stressed-out, tired and discouraged, but when it's good, it's really, really good!
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