Chapter 6 - Studying Together
Wednesdays were my worst day for classes. I had my three morning classes and then after lunch I had my Geology lab. The lab was scheduled from 1:00 to 4:00, but the first couple of weeks I found it necessary to stay in the lab past 4:00 in order to get the weekly assignment done. The one redeeming feature about the lab was that Bruce managed to become my lab partner the second week.
One of the main reasons that the lab ran so long was that the instructor spent too much time explaining the theory behind the laboratory assignments we had. I am sure that this time would have been well spent if I was going to be a geology major or even a science major, but for prospective social science majors like Bruce and I, the theories behind the assignments were not something that either one of us was interested in.
Although we worked steadily on the assignment, by 4:25 we had just finished with the basic laboratory work. We still had to write up our notes to complete the assignment. Thankfully, the instructor gave the students until Friday noon to finish the report and turn it in to him. As we finished putting away the specimens, I asked Bruce, "When do you want to get together to write the report?"
"Jen, do you want to get a bite to eat and then write it up?"
"The cafeteria doesn't open for a half hour," I answered him glancing at the clock.
"That's ok. We can go by the union or down to Mickey D's."
Bending over to pick up my backpack I said, "Sorry, I'm on full meal plan and I can't afford to eat elsewhere."
As we walked out the door he answered, "Well, by the time that we get to the cafeteria we won't have to wait long. By the way, how is your English paper coming for Friday?"
"I haven't even started on it yet. I still have to read 50 or so pages for my seminar tomorrow afternoon before I do. But it probably would be a good idea to get this damn lab paper done tonight while everything is fresh. Do you want to come over to Smith and work on it? We can use my computer."
"I hate to intrude on your roommate."
"Don't worry about it. My roomie wasn't there last Wednesday night and she said something about not being there tonight until late when I stopped by the room to change clothes before lab," I responded as we left the science building.
"In that case since you also have something else to do, why don't I run back to my room and get my laptop. We can make an evening of it. Get the lab report done, you work on your seminar readings and I'll write my comp paper. If I get it done, maybe you can review it since you want to be a writer."
"Why don't I go with you and by then we'll be able to get a bit to eat. I appreciate your confidence in me, but my writing sucks in my humble opinion." With that we turned at headed to Bruce's dorm.
After picking up Bruce's laptop and his comp notes, we headed over to the dining hall. We got our food and found a table to eat our dinners. We chatted over dinner and as we neared the end of our dinner, my normal eating companions, Sandy, Meg and Jane, came by.
"Skipping out on us for a guy," Meg, one of my suitemates kidded me.
"Hey guys, Bruce and I have a lab report to do so he and I are going to work together this evening." Sandy gave me a knowing look to which I responded, "And it isn't biology."
Bruce chirped in, "There's room at the table ladies if you would like to join us."
"Why thanks." Sandy replied. "You are a gentleman, even if our friend is not a lady."
The five of us chatted about various topics until Bruce and I were done eating. Then he pushed his chair back, stood up, picked up his tray and said, "Jen, we better get going. I enjoyed talking with you Sandy." Then turning to Meg and Jane he added, "I'll be seeing you around." With that we both took our trays back to the dish line and headed out to my dorm.
After we got out of the dining hall Bruce took my hand in his. We walked this way back to Smith Hall chatting about what we needed to do that evening. We decided to tackle the Geology lab report first, if for no other reason than to silence my friends. After we completed that project, my first project was to finish my reading for tomorrow and Bruce wanted to work on his English Composition paper. When we got back to the dorm, we walked up to my room and I let us in. However, once we were in the door, I turned and locked the door which brought a perplexed look to Bruce's face.
"I usually study with the door locked so that I am not disturbed," I remonstrated setting my backpack down.
"I believe you, Jen," he replied with a smile on his face. Then he added, "Where should I put my laptop?"
Pointing to my roommate's desk I replied, "Why don't you set it up on Julie's desk over there." Then turning towards my desk, I pulled out my chair and said, "However, since my computer is online, why don't we use it for the report. The format is supposed to be available on the Geo Department web page. We can just use that and go from there." As I powered up my computer, I suggested, "Pull over Julie's chair to my desk and we can work together."
"Good idea." With that Bruce pushed Julie's desk chair over next to my desk. As the format popped up on my screen, Bruce rummaged through his backpack for our lab notes. "Here are the notes we took this afternoon. I hope that everything we need is in them."
"Sweetie, for the amount of notes we took, I just hope that we that (a) understand them, and (b) can incorporate them into the report." As I was speaking, I gave his hand a gentle squeeze.