Give Me Your Hand

So, I never thought I'd say this, but I REALLY miss SJU registration (allow me to explain).

So, registration here isn't online like in the states (or, at least not for visiting students). Basically, every department works in its own world. No department really connects with others, so every policy is different. Some classes require pre-registration while others don't, and some classes that look like they don't need registration actually DO need it. Classes are divided between lectures and seminars (lectures are big, seminars are small and only allow roughly 2 to 5 visiting students in each). What's great about this system is that for the first two weeks you can sit in on any lectures you want to get a feel for the class. Here is the lame part:

Today, I had to sign up for an English seminar. I waited on line for five hours to get into a class that meets once a week. Now, most readers now probably are shaking their heads saying, "Of course you would, Jimmy, you nerd!" or, "Wow, do you have a life?" But, it's crazy because I was still 30th in line!!! Here, you have to line up and sign up for individual seminar classes. Registration started at noon and I got to the line at 7:30 A.M. Picture a Hogwarts courtyard with a bunch of eager wizarding students waiting underneath a gorgeous stone corridor waiting in front of a maroon oak door to get into a class...it sort of looked like that (sorry for the Harry Potter reference). So, it was cold, it rained, about 20 people cut in front of us, there was no food or drink, and I left my pillow to sit against back in the room. To put it lightly, registration is mayhem, BUTTTTT, I did get the Old English Language class I had been dying to take! (Yes, once again, I'm a nerd.)

BUT, we made some new friends on line which was awesome! And, as a whole, it was a beautiful morning once the sun rose. So, I guess I don't totally miss SJU registration, but it would be nice if everything could be online.

So, this blog post is more of a rant than anything else, and if you've read this far, God bless you for putting up with this!

With Irish Blessings,
Jim Jam

P.S. Aside from registration, NUIG is basically the greatest school ever. 'Nuff said.