Minds at Mines: Trying something new

As the school year begins anew, things both commonplace and exciting are no more. Summertime is but a pleasant memory – that summer job, staying in bed past six in the morning, going to bed late at night or early in the morning just for the heck of it, that concept formerly known as “free time…” Yet, as many good things do, it is not a surprise that summer too has come to an end. That said, the end of summer brings with it many new things, some good, others not so much. There are new classes, roommates, jobs, homework assignments, schools, and sleep schedules. New worries and anxiety ridden days and weeks before exams. In times like these, when it is tempting to mourn those lazy mornings and summer tans, it is important to remember that just because summer is over does not mean that there is no time to try some new, fun things as well. In addition to work and school, there is play. Perhaps it is a new club to try, a new plan for success, or a job from which personal satisfaction is derived – a chance to think every time a new piece of information is filed, “I don’t have to ask about a person’s desire for fries…” This week as the weather was kind enough to remind us of the bygone days of summer vacation, Minds at Mines wanted to know, Who’s trying something new?

“This year I am trying a new job in the Chemistry Department. I’m doing that because I’m trying to get into Chemistry and figure out what I actually want to do with Chem, instead of just floundering around in a major. Not trying to figure out at the last minute what I want to do with my life. I want to get into this new job and see what I’ll be doing in real life, in industry.” -Harrison Neal

“I’m going to try to keep up with my homework for once. That’s something new. Once I get it, I’m going to do it, get it done. I’m also going to dress up and spruce up my resume over at the Career Center, going into the Career Fair with the intent to earn an internship for the summer. Hopefully I’ll get one, start making some money and start looking ahead to paying my tuition.” -Eliot Hill

“We [the group of us] are undergrads, graduate students, and a professor. Many of us are trying something new this semester. We played many games and won some neat prizes at Celebration of Mines. The Arthur Lakes library had some fun brain games. Of the clubs we visited today, some of us may try the drilling club, and the underground tunneling. [Some members pictured above] will play basketball again, perhaps in the coming semester.” -Kun Wang, Changshun Sun, Huayang Zhu, Fufuo Ma, Yuan Liu

“Something new for this semester is that I’m going to take a more active role in my classes and study for my exam. I’m going to do the extra work that you don’t need to turn in, so that I’ll do much better on my tests. That way instead of doing nominally on my exams, I’ll do better, and possibly get above a 3.0 GPA this semester.” -Evan Rowland

“For the past two years I’ve been writing Minds at Mines; stalking the unsuspecting populace with a smile, a question, and a camera. I’m trying something new and ‘passing the torch’ to a new Minds at Mines writer. Not sure yet what the something new will be, but something interesting, I’m sure. Best of luck with the new classes, jobs, and exciting adventures. My something new is not likely to include a scientifically tested approach to figure out who is likely to give me quote and a picture. But hey! That’s why it’s new.” Roby Brost