New school year brings excitement, anticipation

    At the beginning of every semester, but particularly in the fall, there is a sense of heightened excitement. This energy pervades the college campus but can be found most prominently in the classroom.
    As a student, I remember the excitement of starting a new class, hearing about what I would be doing and looking forward to getting to know my teacher and my classmates.
    Now, as a teacher, I can see that nervous excitement firsthand, particularly in my freshman writing class. This semester, as my students have begun to get to know me and become familiar with my requirements, I’ve noticed not only the nervous anticipation but also a certain passion.
    In orientation, older faculty preaches to the graduate students about the troubles they should anticipate from their students: the no-shows, the incompetents, the procrastinators. From their talk, it seems as though no college students care about their work or their behavior in class.
    While for some this may be true, the vast majority of the students I meet have a strong desire for success, for attaining the A – at least during the first week of class. Seeing their concerned faces and their nodding heads as I explain what is necessary to achieve the A in my class always makes me feel accomplished, which is why I always struggle when I see some of my students falling behind.
    But I’ve also noticed this passion and excitement at other places on campus outside of the classroom.
    One of the many Jesuit college traditions is the Mass of the Holy Spirit during the first week of class. Classes are cancelled during the time of Mass, encouraging everyone to attend and participate in the first college Mass of the academic year. As an undergraduate, I remember attending and feeling slightly overwhelmed at the number of students gathered. Yet, despite that initial feeling, I always left feeling encouraged, knowing that the Holy Spirit would guide me throughout the year. I still believe that, even today.
    As a child, my parents always encouraged us to pray that God would guide us in our studies so that we would do our best in our classes. Even as an adult, I still pray that small prayer the night before my classes start. Today, though, I add a small request: help me to guide my students in the direction that they are supposed to go.
    As I attended the Mass of the Holy Spirit this year, I did so as a teacher. As I watched the throngs of students gather and fill the pews, I was inspired by their passion and excitement, their willingness to receive the Holy Spirit’s guidance this school year. And I prayed that I, too, would be guided, that I, too, might shepherd my flock.
    Heather Bozant Witcher can be reached at [email protected]