One of the really cool things about my job (besides getting to do math), is watching friendships develop here at the Clearwater Learning Support Center.  At the beginning of each semester, I see students who come in for the first time, and at first they might look a little uncertain.  The student will wander over to my desk, sit down, and we’ll start working on some problems together.  And then …. another student overhears our conversation, and says, “Hey, I think we’re in the same class!”  Now I have two students at my desk working on similar problems, and oftentimes, their knowledge complements each other.  They find that they have more classes in common, and shared interests too.

The next time I see the two of them, they might come in and get a table near me, but start working on their own.  They still come to see me, but for the most part, they’ve been trying to figure out the problems without help.

Sometimes the group will grow to three or four, and by the time the semester is in full swing, study sessions are both work and fun.  Many of these friendships grow beyond the class, beyond the semester, and beyond their degrees.

Since we are a commuter school, I always tell my students that the Learning Support Center is a great place to meet people, while getting your homework done.

So … come in to the LSC, do some math, and make some friends!  (By the way, this applies to other subjects as well J)