For better or for worse?
Every year the end of summer sees me dragging my feet and digging my heels in against the start of classes. Maybe it’s the loss of free time (and freedom?) or the stress of so much change at once but I’ve never been able to meet the new school year with a brave face or much enthusiasm. Like always, this year finds me wishing I could spend more days swimming or wasting time with my friends and less days putting my nose back to the grindstone.
Though admitting that feels a little incriminating for some reason, I’m sure I can’t be the only one nervous about the new semester. This year, though, I wanted to try something different and really look for the “welcome” in “welcome back.” I’d like to start by welcoming all of our readers – new and old alike – to the first issue of The Bengal this fall.
Our goal as your student newspaper is to offer you as much information as possible about Idaho State University. This issue is all about welcoming students, staff and faculty back, and acknowledging the outstanding job the campus and community have done to help students get back into the swing of school.
ISU’s annual Week of Welcome has already provided several opportunities for students to get involved, have some fun and meet new people. More events are still to come and provide a last chance to relax and start the semester off on the right foot even for reluctant back-to-schoolers like myself. The final events of the week include low-key events, like movies at the Bengal Theater, parties, performances and more.
As I’m sure many of you already know, getting involved early on can set the tone for the entire academic year. Even I’m a little excited to start hitting the books again! Once Week of Welcome is over, there is still plenty to be involved in at ISU, whether as a spectator or a participant.
In fact, I’d love to have more students involved with The Bengal. It’s as easy as picking up an issue each week (we put out on Wednesdays)! I know students tend to be a busy bunch, which makes us so appreciative of the time our readers take to look through The Bengal. I hope our publication can be one of the many things you enjoy and are involved with during your time at ISU. As always, students, staff and faculty are encouraged to submit letters to the editor, news tips and story ideas to our office.
Whether you greet the new semester with grins or grimaces, I’d like to once again welcome everyone back and wish you all luck in whatever endeavors you take on. Enjoy the semester and thank you for reading The Bengal!
Nicole Blanchard is a junior majoring in Mass Communication.
