I saw Stephanie Mills a few months ago at the pool. Stephanie is a local author and former composition teacher here at NMC. We chatted about her writing and what was new in our lives. I mentioned that I was just beginning as the CIE director and I felt like there was just so much I didn’t know. Stephanie, ever philosophical and thoughtful, said, “I guess we’re all beginners at something.” As I headed out for my swim, I couldn’t stop thinking about what she said. Yes, we are all beginners at something much of the time. Maybe we’re beginner parents or beginner runners or beginner teachers. Maybe we’re beginning a friendship or a new semester or a new project.

And what does being a beginner mean? It means we don’t know what we’re doing. It means we’re going to make mistakes. It means we have to ask questions and get help when we need it. But is also means we’re taking risks and growing and learning. As I swam back and forth in the pool, I thought about my students, most of whom are just beginning college. They don’t know what they’re doing, but they’re giving it a try. They’re taking a chance and venturing into the unknown. Part of what I love about my job is that I get to help and guide them–show them how to study, how to manage their time, how to go to the Writing and Reading Center, how to talk to a teacher to clarify an assignment, how to say no to friends who want to party instead of study, how to read a book, how to be patient with themselves. Of course they’ll make mistakes; we all do, but we have to allow for that. That’s what being a beginner is all about.