How Has This Semester Been Different/Same as Last Semester?

Honestly, we're just like one big (mostly) happy family! So returning this semester was WAY less formal than the beginning of the year. Having said that, I'll have everyone know that I DID wear a tie on that first day back...one of two days out of the year that I wear a tie! (Not including Open House!) Now, as far as the differences go; I started my class by telling them how much more difficult and detailed the project grading was this semester, due to second semester being Advanced Recording. My second semester is always a more mature, advanced and productive semester and those are my expectations. I clearly explain that first semester was largely a "learning curve" semester for all of the technology and gear. Second semester, however, is entirely different. They are now expected to know certain things and have certain skills or they will not be able to perform the more advanced projects with success. Second semester usually tells me who will be pursuing this industry and/or secondary education after high-school. As far as similarities, they "know the ropes" now in the studio/lab as well as our regular classroom tasks, so all of that has been the same, if not smoother.