Posted by Martino Britt

One of my favorite things about St. Louis is the fall weather, especially the scenery. I like the changing colors of the leaves. However, I do not care to clean them up much. It seems to me this people are more hospitable this time of year as well. Maybe it is due to the temperatures being mild and not having anything to complain about. This year there is the added bonus of the Cardinals making their trip to the postseason.

I have the pleasure this term of taking two of the most memorable classes I have taken so far in my two years at Saint Louis University. I am really enjoying these classes because they keep my mind working. The instructors made it clear from the beginning what their expectations were, and they are available to their students. I really like it when the instructors are responsive to student needs. I think it says a lot about instructors when they understand that their students at the School for Professional Studies are not the traditional student, and they take that into consideration when setting up their class. I also like feedback from instructors. For me, this is very important because it gives you the opportunity to tweak your performance before it is too late. These instructors also acknowledge good performance and offer assistance if your performance requires improvement. I think these are vital actions to a student’s success in a class, making the student more comfortable approaching the instructor with questions.

Another aspect I like about my classes is that they are deepening my desire to want to give back to my community. One of my favorite things about Saint Louis University is the fact that service to the community is a part of the culture. As my time has progressed here at SLU, I have grown intellectually, but my desire to give back to my community has also grown. I often talk to friends of mine who attend other higher learning institutions in the area, and I must say that they are really missing out on a quality education. I try not to be braggadocios, but the truth is what it is. One essential thing I have improved while at SLU is critical thinking. This is not only important in academia, but also in everyday life. The classes I am taking now are really forcing me to use critical thinking in assignments and discussions.

It is a beautiful time of year in St. Louis, and it is a beautiful time to be a Billiken.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/doortoriver/3016375635/