Welcome
back to Trinity for the start of your second semester! You will probably notice
a few changes around upper campus. The Center for the Sciences and Innovation
(CSI) is mostly all open and operational. There is still a bit of work on the
landscaping in front and on the upper floors, but all should be finished by
March. In the meantime, CSI is operational and hopefully you will have a class
in the new building, but if not you should come by and see the exciting new
facilities. Once the Innovation Lounge and Center are complete, this will be an
exciting hub of entrepreneurial activity – and you might want to talk with some
of your professors about getting involved in programs that will run out of this
center. As you walk through the building, note the beautiful wood benches at
various locations. The wood used in the benches came from the live oak trees
that were cut down to clear the site. This is part of the sustainability
features (like the recycling centers and using the condensate from the air
conditioning to run the toilets) in the building that allowed it to be
certified as LEED Gold. You may also
want to search out some of the great study spaces scattered through the
complex. Be sure to stop by my new office (CSI 370G) and say hello!
Hopefully,
you were able to get all of your classes scheduled back in November. But if you
still need to make changes, the add/drop period is open from January 8 through
January 23. If you are frozen out of a class that you really want to take, the
best advice is to contact the professor as soon as possible and work with him
or her to get into the section.
As
you start thinking about your classes this spring, you may want to assess what
went well for you in the fall and especially what didn’t work. Try to avoid the
pitfalls that may have hurt you last Fall and make a proactive plan for
tackling your classes this semester. So for example, if you found yourself
falling behind, try to figure out ways to keep on top of your classes. Make
sure to meet with your professors if you are having any difficulties, and do
this as soon as any problems crops out.
Have
a great semester!
