Summer Registration

Today is a first day of Summer registration and I have been bombarded by student requests since 7:55 a.m. this morning -- phone rings non-stop, my Inbox is full, and students are waiting outside. I stopped counting the number of students I have registered -- will count folders later.

• My enrollment numbers are pretty good; one section is almost closed. Not bad at all for the first day.
• Several students prepared their own schedules so I only had to type in data. Impressive for our students! :)
• Several students were really getting on my nerves -- takiiiiiiing their time to make choices. Come on, this is not a supermarket! There is a line waiting outside! I was good, though: took a deep breath and just smiled patiently.
• OK, another dose of patience is needed here! As I was leaving at 5:00 p.m., totally exhausted, another student waltzed in and started telling me all about her life while shuffling through papers and producing a list of classes she wanted to take. And here I am, standing with my bag and a stack of papers, about to turn lights off... How about asking if I had time? If I did this to any of my own teachers, please forgive me!
• I am determined to end with a positive story!!! Another student came today and I persuaded her to pursue a two-year degree rather than just earn a certificate. She just couldn't believe it was possible. When we discussed several possibilities and I outlined a very doable way of reaching her dream, you had to see that wide smile! I was reminded once again why I love teaching! :)

If anybody else stumbles across this blog, I would love to hear about your experience with registering undergraduate students. Have a wonderful day!