
Posted by Michael Robertson (Clarion U.)
Taking this summer course has been blast! I’ve had the opportunity to meet some really awesome people, and to learn a lot of valuable skill sets. Skill sets such as bat monitoring, field tracking, tree identification, and if time permits electro-fishing, as well as small mammal trapping. Learning these skills out of a text book from inside a classroom is useful, however having my hands on the equipment with a professor showing me how to use the actual instruments is WAY BETTER! While we’re out in the field most of the day working, it doesn’t feel like work at all. That’s because I’m passionate about what I’m learning, and two because of my classmates. The other 18 students in my class FREAKING ROCK! We have the best time, it’s like we’re our own little family, and we even have a mom and dad haha. After class is down, we all get together and eat dinner. We even have a super table, were we all fit, sort of like a Brady Bunch for biology nerds haha! Once the feast ends, then the night really begins we go canoeing, kayaking, swimming, play volleyball, catchphrase, the Buffalo D inspired game of contact, watch random YouTube videos…..BLUEBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, cards against humanity, color, Frisbee, just to name a few! The vibe of the class, plus the gorgeous scenery makes this whole Pymatuning experience one for the books!
Taking this summer course has been blast! I’ve had the opportunity to meet some really awesome people, and to learn a lot of valuable skill sets. Skill sets such as bat monitoring, field tracking, tree identification, and if time permits electro-fishing, as well as small mammal trapping. Learning these skills out of a text book from inside a classroom is useful, however having my hands on the equipment with a professor showing me how to use the actual instruments is WAY BETTER! While we’re out in the field most of the day working, it doesn’t feel like work at all. That’s because I’m passionate about what I’m learning, and two because of my classmates. The other 18 students in my class FREAKING ROCK! We have the best time, it’s like we’re our own little family, and we even have a mom and dad haha. After class is down, we all get together and eat dinner. We even have a super table, were we all fit, sort of like a Brady Bunch for biology nerds haha! Once the feast ends, then the night really begins we go canoeing, kayaking, swimming, play volleyball, catchphrase, the Buffalo D inspired game of contact, watch random YouTube videos…..BLUEBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, cards against humanity, color, Frisbee, just to name a few! The vibe of the class, plus the gorgeous scenery makes this whole Pymatuning experience one for the books!