First day!

[cjsmith]

I survived my first day of classes! Today was shorter than usual because the first chem lab is all about counting out flasks, doing paperwork, and signing out equipment.

Today in school I learned that kinematics is the study of motion, I learned not to eat in the student center, and I learned to avoid trying to park between eight and one.

Comments

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Yay!

I remember first-day chem labs being nothing but equipment checks.

Today I learned that a weak solution to the 1-D linear wave equation can be derived from a strong solution. And that I think I have a bad stomach bug.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I don't even understand what you learned in class today. Well, except the bad stomach bug, for which my sympathies! Those suck.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

That's okay. I'm not sure I understand it, either. I just learned it. :-)

[bendoutdoors.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! And on an unrelated topic, it was great to see you and dance to you after so many years. Thanks for not completely running me into the floor with really hard material. :-)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It was great to see you again, too! You looked as cheerful and energetic as ever.

[anirishpenguin.livejournal.com]

Congrats on being a student again. As a (slightly) older student, I hope you have as much fun as I've had returning as a (slightly) older student. I've enjoyed college much more as an adult then as a 18 or 19 year old, have also gotten much more out of it.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

So far I love it. Of course, I haven't had to do anything yet, either. ;-) How long have you been back in school? A year or two by now, yes?

[fyellin.livejournal.com]

So what's the difference between "kinematics" and "dynamics"?

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Motion vs. causes thereof.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

As well as I understood mechanics dating back to high school physics, I never was clear on that distinction until taking Atmospheric Dynamics recently. We don't talk about mass at all, just the equations for motion. Everything is put in terms of "per unit mass" so we don't have to worry about it.

[tryslora]

Does it feel weird being on campus again? I think I envy you getting to be a student... I'm wistful when I watch the students go by.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yeah, in many ways it's a cushy life. (I suppose that makes sense. Any life you're paying to do rather than being paid to do, well.) It's even better the second time around. I have all the freedoms I had when I was nineteen, plus a working car, a nice home, and (since it's not MIT) a truckload more free time. Things could be worse!

[tryslora]

I was thinking of you today when the HR orientation kept comparing RPI to MIT *grins*

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

*chuckle* What'd they have to say? "We're kind of like those nerds, except we bathe?" :-)

[tryslora]

Nah, all RPI pride about rankings and being the first established technology institution.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Ah ok. I bet they do bathe though.

[tryslora]

Oh, I wouldn't bet on that... remind me someday to write a post to tell the story of why my server room stinks...

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Do you have a disabled parking tag? I can't imagine you don't qualify. (That said: I've seen blue spots fill right up.)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I sure do, and they fill fast. :-)

[hnybny.livejournal.com]

Remember, no matter what your chem teacher says....

do not eat the Kleenex!

[jupiter29.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on making it through your first day. I envy you! Well, sort of. :)

I used to hate parking on campus. I always took a bus so I wouldn't have to bother. Kim comes home almost daily with complaints about how long it took her to find a spot. :(