For many Prep juniors and seniors, Monday, Jan. 12 was an important if somewhat dreaded day on their academic calendar. This day brought about the return of classes to students enrolled in Gannon courses after a nearly month long winter/Christmas break. Students began a whole new set of classes with differing professors and material than that which their previous semester offered them.
Most students went into their new class or classes without a clue in the world about what the course could possibly bring them these next few months. They left with a syllabus and a better idea of the journey upon which they will soon embark on during their time taking classes at Gannon.
Since Prep returned from break a week earlier than Gannon, the Dual-Enrollment students, who take one class a semester at Gannon, did not need to report to Prep until their second period, which starts around 9 in the morning. The Gannon Scholars, who are enrolled in three classes a semester, were even luckier. These students did not need to report to school until their fourth period class, which starts at around 10:30, giving the students plenty of time to sleep in, work on homework, study, eat, goof around, and pretty much do any other activity that could possibly occupy these hard-working students before the start of their day at Prep. Most chose to catch up on sleep or to hangout in the library. Or maybe a combination of the two.
Senior and Gannon Scholar Alex Ventrello had some strong words to say about the start of the spring semester. “It was tough getting back into the groove of things since we were able to sleep in for the past week,” he said. “Give me a week or two and I’ll be in the groove alright.”
As a student enrolled in the Gannon Scholar program, I can attest that this free time was much appreciated. I used this time effectively to catch up on the sleep I should have got over break, fix a delicious breakfast, and, unfortunately, put my finishing touch on the tedious and certainly feared senior project. Both Dual-Enrollment and Gannon Scholars alike were all but ecstatic to give up this free time and begin their new semester.
With a new year comes a new semester at Gannon. Students are certainly far from wanting to go back to school just yet, but they are left with no choice. Hopefully, optimism and an open mind were two things they brought with them on their first day back to Gannon.