A new year

April 1st marks the beginning of new experiences for many people in Japan.

Transcript

Today is April 1st. It's the first day of a new year. April 1st marks the beginning of new experiences for many people in Japan, when our academic year begins. Students move up a grade or enter new schools, and many people begin their new jobs. April also brings cherry blossoms and other beauties of nature.

I've been a teacher for more than three decades, but I still get restless in anticipation as I prepare for the new year. I'm ready to teach, of course, but even as I try to relax at home, questions flood into my mind.

What kinds of challenges will I face this year? What will the new freshmen be like? Am I ready to teach my classes? What about graduate school? Have I studied enough to guide graduate students?

For weeks I've worked very hard to prepare lesson plans, create teaching materials, and locate resources for students. Soon I'll begin to carry out my plans, use my materials, and share resources that I have discovered.

Every academic year brings new experiences and new challenges. Even though I'm ready to teach, there is no way to prepare for many of the events that lie ahead. Certainly I'll face difficult situations, maybe even big ones, but experience tells me that there will be many pleasant surprises and many happy occasions.

I'm a little nervous, as I am every year at this time. but I'm really looking forward to starting the new year as young people return to the campus and as the cherry trees at the main gate come into full bloom.