The semester is off to a grand start. Enrollment, once again, looks strong. This is a very exciting time of year for everyone at TCL, beginning in the Admissions Office, continuing through the College Bookstore, and culminating in the sidewalks, hallways and the paths that lead to the classroom.
On the day before start of the fall semester, I watched about two dozen student posts on the TCL Facebook landing page, and I was thrilled to see how each student expressed her or his excitement about the start of the academic year. Comments like, “bring it on,” and “I can’t wait to get started” seem to capture the spirit. I believe faculty is equally excited to welcome students to their classrooms and labs. Some have posted Facebook comments expressing their excitement.
The energy at TCL is alive and there is definitely an uplifting feeling to the start of the semester, full of anticipation and full of hope. As a college community we embrace learning and the pathway beyond the classroom, lab or clinical setting that leads to a job or advanced higher education. We are thrilled to observe student success in many forms, which ultimately changes the economic landscape of our communities. As President Obama recently said, “education is the economic issue of our time.”
Go. Get started. Enjoy the benefits of learning. I hope to see every single student at Commencement when we celebrate new options for pathways that hold infinite reward.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Take your time. Study hard.
Instant Gratification. That’s what we want. In general terms, we have become an impatient society. We want answers, we want solutions, and we want them now. We operate in soundbites and we look for short cuts, to conversations, to directions, and we’re always wanting the bottom line. Just the facts.
I like results as much as the next person; however, I’m disciplined. I don’t jump to the end of the book (anymore) to learn the ending. I don’t like people telling me how movies end. I like to wait until the official results are reported in an election. I respect process.
This is the wonderful time of year when we officially welcome new students to the campus. In my orientation remarks to new students, I will focus on process, and let them know that the process of earning a credential is a time honored tradition. There is a time commitment established for a reason.
Recently, there are pushes to have this process occur more rapidly. I fear the push may impede the learning process. Learning takes time. It involves reflection. It involves thought. It involves patience. Learning a new subject or skill takes disciplined attention. In fairness, it does not need to be rushed.
Too often I see students who become impatient with process and they tend not to give it a chance. This year, I plan to encourage students to allow time to study and to ponder the fine points of academic investment. The classroom is a sacred place where one is free to learn and think. It is fun and exciting. It is an escape from the pressures of the world, and it needs to be preserved as such. The message is a good one for everyone. Allow ample time to process and think.
So, for students, it’s a class at a time, on a day at a time, by completing an assignment or a project at a time -- all adding up to the earning of a credential. The process is designed to take time. And to our students, for each hour you spend in class, your instructor expects that you will spend two hours outside of class reviewing, prepping, writing, reading and, yes, thinking. Take time to think. Take time to reflect. Eliminate distractions and concentrate. Learning is a process that takes time. Your days in College are precious, so enjoy every second. Get to know your faculty and fellow students in your new community of learners. Set the goal to complete your program and earn your degree or certificate. Good things come to those who persist.
I like results as much as the next person; however, I’m disciplined. I don’t jump to the end of the book (anymore) to learn the ending. I don’t like people telling me how movies end. I like to wait until the official results are reported in an election. I respect process.
This is the wonderful time of year when we officially welcome new students to the campus. In my orientation remarks to new students, I will focus on process, and let them know that the process of earning a credential is a time honored tradition. There is a time commitment established for a reason.
Recently, there are pushes to have this process occur more rapidly. I fear the push may impede the learning process. Learning takes time. It involves reflection. It involves thought. It involves patience. Learning a new subject or skill takes disciplined attention. In fairness, it does not need to be rushed.
Too often I see students who become impatient with process and they tend not to give it a chance. This year, I plan to encourage students to allow time to study and to ponder the fine points of academic investment. The classroom is a sacred place where one is free to learn and think. It is fun and exciting. It is an escape from the pressures of the world, and it needs to be preserved as such. The message is a good one for everyone. Allow ample time to process and think.
So, for students, it’s a class at a time, on a day at a time, by completing an assignment or a project at a time -- all adding up to the earning of a credential. The process is designed to take time. And to our students, for each hour you spend in class, your instructor expects that you will spend two hours outside of class reviewing, prepping, writing, reading and, yes, thinking. Take time to think. Take time to reflect. Eliminate distractions and concentrate. Learning is a process that takes time. Your days in College are precious, so enjoy every second. Get to know your faculty and fellow students in your new community of learners. Set the goal to complete your program and earn your degree or certificate. Good things come to those who persist.
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