Sometimes the strangest thing happens when you least expect it. I often refer to the opportunity known a work-study as the time to get paid doing my homework. So here's a story for the books.
When the lights went out at the Portsmouth Center, classes had already begun. It took everyone by surprise. A quick assessment of the situation, by staff, indicated that there was an interruption in our power source; the landlord had needed electrical work done and had scheduled it during the evening, not knowing, Granite State College offered Night College Classes. The landlord was called and the situation would be corrected in 30 mins. The staff made sure the access to the walkways were clear, provided information to the professors and offered flashlights.
The staff huddled around the remaining flashlight in the foyer, lamenting the interruption, when a curious thing occurred. Students were coming out of their classrooms and plopping themselves in the hall. They brought their note pads and laptops with them and seemed to be working by the glow of the emergency lighting. One staff member remarked,
"That wouldn't happen at my college. If it did we would wait the obligatory 15 minutes, and then say 'good-bye.'"
"Isn't that interesting?" I said, giving a nod toward the students down the hall, "you know why they are doing that don't you?"
"You know I still don't have a handle on who our students are so why don't you enlighten me Ellen."
"Well, I know for me, I pay for this experience and I am going to squeeze everything I can out of it," I laughed. There it was the simple truth that drives me to go to classes after working all day. To stay up late writing papers or doing research. Or being patient while the electricians get the power back on. All the effort and determination boiled down to simple logical equation; if I put my money in then I will get my money's worth out.
Not an epiphany -- but it sure was nice to know I am not alone. Strange, huh?
When the lights went out at the Portsmouth Center, classes had already begun. It took everyone by surprise. A quick assessment of the situation, by staff, indicated that there was an interruption in our power source; the landlord had needed electrical work done and had scheduled it during the evening, not knowing, Granite State College offered Night College Classes. The landlord was called and the situation would be corrected in 30 mins. The staff made sure the access to the walkways were clear, provided information to the professors and offered flashlights.
The staff huddled around the remaining flashlight in the foyer, lamenting the interruption, when a curious thing occurred. Students were coming out of their classrooms and plopping themselves in the hall. They brought their note pads and laptops with them and seemed to be working by the glow of the emergency lighting. One staff member remarked,
"That wouldn't happen at my college. If it did we would wait the obligatory 15 minutes, and then say 'good-bye.'"
"Isn't that interesting?" I said, giving a nod toward the students down the hall, "you know why they are doing that don't you?"
"You know I still don't have a handle on who our students are so why don't you enlighten me Ellen."
"Well, I know for me, I pay for this experience and I am going to squeeze everything I can out of it," I laughed. There it was the simple truth that drives me to go to classes after working all day. To stay up late writing papers or doing research. Or being patient while the electricians get the power back on. All the effort and determination boiled down to simple logical equation; if I put my money in then I will get my money's worth out.
Not an epiphany -- but it sure was nice to know I am not alone. Strange, huh?
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