Sunday, December 23, 2007

Done

The semester is officially over, my last class was this week. It seems that I have gotten through it with pretty good grades. I have about a three week break until next semester starts and I am already purchasing books for my new classes, since I need nine books it is best to spread out their purchase.

I wish I could say that I have learned a lot about librarianship and that this new knowledge has further confirmed my want to be a librarian. Sadly this is not the case. I still know that I am supposed to be a librarian but the classes did not give me much new knowledge and did not help confirm my desire.

The lack of knowledge given in class has in a way been beneficial, it makes me seek it out in other ways. Conversations with Garrett and looking into things by myself has increased my understanding of librarianship.

There were a few things I learned from classes, although this is probably not what the course objectives were:

  • do not talk or engage with the old lady classmate, she will tell you why she has not been in class, her time in hospital and the tests and diagnosis. She will also ask your help with assignments she has missed and state that she knows nothing about technology.
  • Do not trust your professor to properly explain or even know what you are supposed to include in an assignment. They seem unable to properly convey their wants.
  • Some classmates can be much more informed than professors and can be the best resource.
  • A small university is no better at managing bureaucracy, getting the personal touch, providing a better education than a large university, and it almost makes me miss UIC, at least there was no pretense.