Random Thought: The "Tassel List"

Although I have not seen it, I think I have a general idea of the plot of The Bucket List.  It occurred to me when I was preparing a talk to our juniors and their parents for JPW (Junior Parents Weekend) (sic), that students might want to have a "Tassel List" -- a list of activities and accomplishments to be finished before graduation.  The weak pun aside, a carefully chosen list could greatly add to the long term satisfaction of the college experience for a student and, depending on what is on it, to the "program" as well.

My personal recommendation is that when activities that are important to you are coming to an end, you realize this and savor the moments.  The Tassel list is separate from this in that it could contain items that you have never done -- but would be worthwhile.

Here is a possible list:

1.  Go with your lab or HW group for breakfast or lunch with one of the faculty


2.  Voluntarily take a deep academic experience  e.g., figure out what the 2nd law really means, or what a normal viscous stress is or figure out why infinite domain transport problems have "naturally occurring" similarity variables.


              (The faculty will help!) 


3.  Ask a really perceptive question in class, or any question if you have never done it!


4. Compliment a faculty member on a particularly good lecture


5.  Explain (e.g.,) the utility of knowing the consequences of the first law of thermodynamics when, say, making green energy policy at ND, to a non-engineer ! 


6.  Read a publication written by one of the faculty members and discuss it with him or her over coffee. 


7.  Attend a department research seminar or a similar seminar in another department


8.  Develop a fully-informed and well thought position on an important world problem


9. Make a constructive suggestion for course improvement on the CIF

Feel free to establish your own list, or merely pick out some things you want to do and make them happen.  You and others will benefit!