Good-bye to folklore, and good-bye through folklore!

"Every exit is an entry somewhere else." ~Tom Stoppard

It's the final day for many of my classes, including folklore, and this is likely to be my final post in this blog. I've enjoyed the experience and hope to continue to develop my skills in identifying and interpreting folklore in American culture. Already I've noticed quite a few folkloric traditions going on around campus in conjunction with the final day of the semester at BYU. Read through and see if you agree with me that any combination of these items is a sure-fire sign that the semester has come to its conclusion.

1. Food. Many people are walking around with plates of cookies, brownies, lasagna, what-have-you desserts. I can only assume that every class at BYU has decided to have an end-of-the-semester party on the final day of classes. It's a pretty common thing for language classes, I know. Almost every Spanish class I've taken has ended with a fiesta. This semester my Spanish 311 class ended on Tuesday, and we all brought something to eat. Two of the students served missions in Spain and brought Spanish desserts: Arroz con leche (Rice, milk, and sugar) and, of course, the famous flan. They were both delicious, but almost overwhelmingly sweet. I was thankful for the regular carrots and pretzels brought by another classmate and myself.

2. Professors crying! Typically women professors, but I have seen men professors do it too. They may do it while they're bearing their testimony, or talking about how young and bright we students are, or just getting emotional about the topic they're teaching. One thing is sure: You definitely know that it's the final day of class when your professor is crying...

3. Students leaving class and NOT saying, "See you later!" It's almost hard to think of what to say if you aren't having the final in the same classroom together. "Good luck!" seems vague. "Have a great Christmas!" is a little brusque. "Good luck with finals!" is probably the most commonly acceptable phrase, but, then, of course, it's cliché. Oh well.

4. Singing "God Be With You Til We Meet Again" for the opening/closing hymn. I've heard it twice for religion classes already, and it makes me feel uneasy and sort of guilty. It's as if they're trying to make us forget how crazily excited we are at the chance to be FINISHED with school, just by sobering us down and forcing us to be sad and all nostalgic...

5. Clapping for the professor. This is typically only done in the big freshman classes, like American Heritage, but I like the tradition and so have tried to initiate it in smaller classes, like Spanish 311 for instance. It's nice to let the professor know he or she has your respect and appreciation, even if it does seem a bit of a formality.

Feel free to write in the comments if you come up with any more traditions you think may be lurking around in this category. On that note, I'd like to let everyone who has commented know that I have really have greatly appreciated all the comments. Thanks a lot for your support and interest in my doings as a college student here at the Y! And if by chance you've become addicted to my flawless writing style and charismatic sense of humor, don't worry. I'll be starting another blog next winter while I'm completing a seminar and internship in Washington D.C., the great capital of this grand ol' American nation of ours. Waaaaaahooooooooo!