Yes folks, I’m back at school. But this time, I’m on the other side of the desk! That’s right…I’m teaching! I am teaching PR Research at the University of South Florida. This is the same school where I received my Mass Communications degree many many years ago. What a crazy thing to be back in the same building, teaching a class that I myself took so many years ago.

So, what have I learned about college this first week? What is the same? What is different? Here are some of my first-week observations:

1. Parking still sucks! Sorry to be so blunt, but there really is no other word. Even with new parking garages popping up all over campus, and a shuttle service for those students willing to Park-n-Ride, there still seems to be one parking spot for every three students. Fortunately for me, I get to park in the “special” lot, reserved just for staff. And, I am two for two when it comes to finding the very last spot in that special lot. I am a parking rock star!!

2. Does anybody even go to the library anymore? When I was in school, the library was my home away from home. When I wanted to search old newspaper articles for a research project, I had to physically go to the library and look on microfiche or search in old issues of the paper to find what I was looking for. Today, a simple Google search or archive search on a media’s website gives a student everything they need to know. No fair!!!

3. The crazy religious zealots are still here! Now, I consider myself a good Christian. I go to church, believe in God and try to live a good life. But these people that come onto campus and shove their religious beliefs at these students drive me crazy. Do they really think that they are going to convert anyone? So far I’ve seen the Dianetics folks (stress test my tush) and the Born-Agains. And I’ve only been here two days! It makes me sad to see students interacting so aggressively and negatively with these people. Just ignore them, please! I understand free speech, but I don’t think this is what our Founding Fathers were talking about.

4. Whoever the person was at Subway who decided that putting restaurants on college campuses was a good idea was a genius! The Subway here was just as busy today as it was 15 years ago! This spot is a goldmine. I wish I had thought of it!

5. Finally, most students are good kids. There is always going to be the student who doesn’t pay attention. The one that is totally ignoring what you say. And the one that makes snide comments to other students that may or may not be about you, the professor. However, when the other students laugh, and you aren’t in on the joke, it isn’t a good feeling. Fortunately, for the most part, the kids are listening, interested and are really trying to learn something. Some are even trying to help me be a better teacher! I thank those students for that, and I look forward to teaching you for the rest of the semester. Those that aren’t so great…well, you know who you are.

Happy Studying!