[00:04.43]It was the last day of final examinations in a large Eastern university.
[00:10.97]On the steps of one building, a group of engineering seniors huddled, discussing the exam due to begin in a few minutes.
[00:19.46]On their faces was confidence. This was their last exam — then on to commencement and jobs.
[00:28.94]Some talked of jobs they already had; others of jobs they would get.
[00:33.84]With all this assurance of four years of college, they felt ready and able to conquer the world.
[00:40.26]The approaching exam, they knew, would be a snap.
[00:43.85]The professor had said they could bring any books or notes they wanted.
[00:48.10]Requesting only that they did not talk to each other during the test.
[00:53.77]Jubilantly they entered into the classroom. The professor passed out the papers.
[00:59.86]And smiles broadened as the students noted there were only five essay-type questions.
[01:06.51]Three hours passed. Then the professor began to collect the papers.
[01:12.06]The students no longer looked confident.
[01:15.21]On their faces was a frightened expression.
[01:18.70]No one spoke as, papers in hand, the professor faced the class.
[01:24.58]He surveyed the worried faces before him, then asked: “how many completed all five questions?”
[01:32.64]Not a hand was raised.
[01:35.90]“How many answered four?”
[01:38.63]Still no hands.
[01:42.22]“Three? Two?”
[01:45.60]The students shifted restlessly in their seats.
[01:49.19]“One, then? Certainly somebody finished one.”
[01:53.22]But the class remained silent. The professor put down the papers. “that is exactly what I expected,” he said.
[02:04.54]“I just want to impress upon you that, even though you have completed four years of engineering.
[02:11.62]There are still many things about the subject you don’t know.
[02:15.78]These questions you could not answer are relatively common in everyday practice.”
[02:21.57]Then, smiling, he added: “you will all pass this course, but remember — even though you are now college graduates, your education has just begun.”
[02:33.17]The years have obscured the name of this professor, but not the lesson he taught.
