You don't have to be a nerd

So, how does having a three-hour class every day for three weeks sound to you? Would you like to have to prepare multiple classroom presentations, read scholarly articles over 50 pages daily, and have nightly textbook readings? Maybe not, but I bet you'd really enjoy taking an out-of-state fieldtrip or watching movies. That's the joy of CentreTerm. While it's an intensive study of a particular subject, it's also a time to really delve into an area of knowledge in a fun way. Not sure what I mean? Let me elucidate.

I'm taking FRS 182, or "Biology of Prehistoric Animals," for CentreTerm. We're learning about the evolution of life on Earth, with a particular focus on reptiles and dinosaurs. We meet from 9:00 to 12:00 each day, and are expected to have read several chapters of our textbook (ambitiously titled "History of Life"), as well as several articles by noted paleontologist Stephen Gould, and be ready to discuss them. In the first week, every member of the class has had to give a presentation on a specific organism, as well as a geological time period.

Along with all of this work, however, we've also gotten to watch multiple episodes of the documentary "Walking with Dinosaurs" (which has some pretty sweet dino fight scenes), and handle live specimens from all over the globe: snakes, legless lizards, salamanders, and frogs!

The part I'm most looking forward to is the fieldtrip to the Field Museum in Chicago, which has a complete T. rex skeleton fossil! Of course, if you're not a bio person, this probably sounds like the nerdiest class of all time. Great, learn about the development of lungs in fish, or toes in lizards. Sounds like a party.

Well, that's the beauty of CentreTerm. You get to pick from a wide range of highly specific classes that match your interests. Not into bio? Maybe you should try the "Art of Walking", which as it's name implies, entails hours of hiking and reading and discussing philosophy. Like music? Try "The World of Duke Ellington" or "Folk Music in Kentucky". "HIV/AIDS in Africa" or "Myth and Science Fiction" are great choices, too. Whatever you like, you'll be able to find a class that truly sparks your interest.

So, after finishing your first term of college and relaxing at home, you can look forward to easing back into academics with an intense but interesting class. Don't worry, you don't have to be a nerd to enjoy CentreTerm!