First Day of Class

I’ve always loved the first week of school. I know that September 21^st or 22^nd is the last day of summer in any given year, but Labour Day Monday has always felt like the “real” last day of summer to me. Why?--because the day after Labour Day always signifies the first day of a new school year, which means the start of new classes, new teachers, new friends, and potentially all kinds of new possibilities. It has always been this way, beginning at the age of five when I let go of my mom’s emotional embrace to take my first steps into the first days of kindergarten. But kindergarten and grade school is one thing, college and university is another; the anticipation and excitement of the new school year, and all that it represents, really comes into its own and peaks with the first few days of college or university. 

I send out a huge congrats to all the new post-secondary students for getting to this point, and a massive welcome and good luck to all of you for the upcoming school term and year. Study hard, join a club, and make some new friends.  Go to a party on campus, eat a lot of macaroni and cheese in your dorm, and check out the library and the fitness facilities.  Talk to your profs, advisors, and classmates, and simply get involved.  Don’t forget to phone home and tell Mom you miss her.  Oh yes, and stay away from too much texting, too much surfing, and too many video games. They are allies with that little devil called procrastination. To be successful you will need to stay focused, work hard, and have fun.  And please do not underestimate the power of having fun.  Best of luck to everyone!