Gopher Blog

My Favorite Class...

It’s been a couple of weeks in to the semester, and my classes are starting to get busy! So far I’m involved in a couple of projects, papers, some smaller class assignments, and daily readings. Needless to say, I’ve got a lot on my plate, but it’s been worth it to be back on campus with all of my friends.

This week, I wanted to know what my friends thought of their classes so far this semester. Check out these videos to see what they think!

Sam - Sophomore


Mindy - Freshman


Katie - Junior


Jenna - Sophomore


Maddie - Junior


~ Trisha

Recycle Your Way to Fortune and Fame: Chemistry 1905

Paper, Aluminum, and More

From aluminum cans to cardboard boxes, it’s really easy to recycle. Putting a can, bottle, or box in a recycling bin instead of a trash can truly does contribute to the longevity of the planet. But how many people know what actually happens to their recyclables after they land in the recycling bin? Under the direction of chemistry professor Wayland Noland, freshmen students at the U of M can learn the ins and outs of the recycling/reuse industry.

Professor Noland, who has taught in the U of M’s chemistry department for over 50 years, would be the first person to tell you that recycling extends far beyond metal, paper, and cardboard. Students in his freshman seminar class, Recycle Your Way to Fortune and Fame, discover that just about anything can be recycled or reused. Many class sessions are held at recycling destinations around the Twin Cities; these field trips give students a first-hand look at the recycling that’s happening right in their backyard.

In past semesters, students have visited the Minneapolis Animal Care and Control Center (recycled pets), used bookstores around the U of M campus (recycled books), and the University Computer Services Recycling Center (recycled computers). Of course, students also visit more “traditional” recycling sites, such as the main recycling facility at the U of M. To complete the course, all students must develop a final paper and presentation based on a recycling-related topic of their choosing.

Since this course is a freshman seminar, it is only open to first-year students. The class size is limited to 20 students, giving everybody an opportunity to interact one-on-one with the professor and get to know fellow classmates.

Want to learn more?

Read more about Professor Wayland Noland.

Explore opportunities at the U of M in the physical sciences.

Learn about the University of Minnesota’s recycling programs.

Back in the Swing of Things

In the midst of the inauguration excitement of a new president, spring semester at the U of M is in full swing!

This semester, I am taking six courses for a total of 16 credits. After attending five out of the six classes so far, I know I am in for a challenging semester. But in my case, challenging also means exciting and beneficial. For example, one of my classes is focused on writing for the public relations field. My instructor treats the class as if we are in a professional workplace setting, and she is “the boss.” The atmosphere is exciting because it’s reminiscent of what life in the workplace will be like. I already know that I will enjoy my class on Nonverbal Communication; my professor has a bubbly nature and already demonstrated that she cares about each student’s success. From these first couple of days, I know that this semester is going to be jam-packed with things to do!

On another note, January in Minnesota is also in full swing. Leaving for class in the morning has been a little chilly. But I always remember to bundle up, and utilize the Gopher Way as much as I can. The Gopher Way is an underground tunnel system all throughout the U of M campus that students can use to walk to class. (Click here for a previous blogger’s notes about this fabulous campus feature!) Many students use it in the winter to avoid the cold or simply because it’s a convenient way to get from class to class.

That’s all for this week! Stay tuned for future entries about more of my U of M adventures!

~ Trisha

Gopher Resolutions

In my last entry, I talked about something many people do at the end of a year—reflect on the past. Another thing that many people do at the end of each year is make New Year’s Resolutions. Here are my “U of M” New Year’s Resolutions, or some goals I have for the upcoming year:

Attend more Gopher sports games: As of now, I have only been to football games and one volleyball game. With multiple sports played on this campus, I know I can find more sports that interest me.

Get my resume reviewed by the CCLC: The CCLC or the Career and Community Learning Center provides resources to help undergraduates in the College of Liberal Arts figure out what they want from their U of M education. Whether it’s helping students choose their major or helping them learn the skills to obtain a job, the CCLC is a great place for information. Next semester, I will be using their expertise to create an eye-appealing resume.

Exercise more: Okay, this is a resolution that many people have. But here at the U of M, there are two facilities that make exercise a little easier. They are the University Recreation Center (more commonly known as the Rec Center) or the St. Paul Gymnasium. With state-of-the-art fitness centers and multiple courts customized for different sports like handball, racquetball, and basketball, there are plenty of ways to stay in shape. Plus, enrolled U of M students get access for free!

Go to movies at Coffman: Throughout my Blog, you may remember me talking about weekends where I went to Coffman Memorial Union to see a movie. It’s something I’d like to start doing more because the movies are recent (for example, movies shown last semester included The Dark Knight and WALL-E) and best of all—they’re free! What a good study break!

Study hard! This resolution is always a good one to have on the list. :)

~ Trisha