VICTORIA COLLEGE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 72, 26 March 1909, Page 4

VICTORIA COLLEGE.

COMMENCEMENT OF FIRST TERM. I Corridors .and halls of Victoria College were thronged last evening \\ ith new ! and former students of both t>e.\es, the occasion being the commencement of the year's work after the long summer vacation. About two hundred students — mostly freshmen — assembled in one of the largest lecture rooms, and were officially welcomed in a brief address by Professor 11. B. Kirk. The student, said the professor, should at the outset have made up his mind ns to the subjects for his first and subsequent, years' work, and should no(., in his first year, take up subjects about which ho knowe nothing, for the work at a university college is on somewhat broader lines than that at a secondary school. Professor Kirk urged the new fetudonts to aim at "honours" — now that "nothing seems im possible to you," and ho discounted the taking of easy subjects Lectures should be attended as regularly as possible, and oven these would not give students everything that, was needed to pass examinations. "You have your own brains, and the library, which by ever/ thoughtful student should be earnestly Utted." The mere passing of examinations was not to be regarded as tho solo _ object of the etud^nt, but earnest thinkers and earnest workers are wanted to aid in exploiting the great fields of thought. "Our aim," said the inofesfeor, "is to make you thinkers, to help you as far as possible to be men and women." He then gave the students some ap propriate counsels on the most efficacious methods of mastering knowledge. "Nobody really understands a thing until he can explain it to others." The professor recommended the fullest discussion about mental difficulties. Students should identify themselves thoroughly with tjio college, arid share with professors its honour and prestige. The claim;, of tho munv social functions should not be overlooked. The most level-headed student would eufl'er a deterioration of character in ignoring them. "Every man nf t,obriety, of moral courage, and of solidity, should take part in these social functions •You owe a duty to lake part, in over?

activity of tho college." 110 would offer, in conclusion, ono counsel : "Quit you liko mon ; be strong. " During the evening, professors met ibeif respective students to arrange- the year's work, and the first term was officially commenced. *