So there's something about being a student again that revitalizes the creative juices and gets me interested in blogging again. Either that, or it's just my alto-ego's nagging encouraging emails.

Transitioning into grad school the last few weeks has brought about some intriguing observations on key differences between graduates and undergraduates. Let me demonstrate with a few scenarios, followed by how each group would handle said scenario:

1. Orientation
Undergrad: mud wrestling, waterslide races, helpful tours of dorms and dining commons
Graduate: diction tests, entrance exams, choir placement hearings, helpful tours of the reference section of the library

2. You just hear Friday's late afternoon class is cancelled
UG: Much rejoicing for a long(er) weekend
G: Students plan to meet anyway on their own to discuss class content and share reference books

3. Research papers
UG: A neat synthesized report of somebody else's research, hopefully without too much plagiarism
G: You get excited over finding few resources because that means you can break new ground

4. Unwritten, unenforced dress code
UG: flannal pants and a hoodie... on good days
G: Ties for the men and dresses for the ladies, flip flops maybe on Fridays but certainly not if there's a guest lecturer

5. Course reading lists
UG: Ignore most required readings and hope somebody else in class carries the discussion
G: Competition for library books and articles on the suggested reading list is fierce; at least everybody owns all the required reading material

6. The professor calls and says he is late for class because of traffic
UG: Most leave because isn't there some sort of unwritten ten-minute rule so class is supposed to be cancelled?
G: Students pull out a copy of a Renaissance mass and sight read it in six part harmony to pass the time

Oh, let me hear Thee speaking,
  In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
  The murmurs of self-will;
Oh, speak to reassure me,
  To hasten, or control;
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
  Thou Guardian of my soul.



my blogging is sporadic as usual. they say blogging is a thing of the past anyway - maybe it's a thing of my past. but sometimes it's just so fun! i'll be back later.