Getting a kick out of graduation

Last year, I found graduation to be a wonderful end to the year. The music was inspiring, and I enjoyed watching my students achieve this milestone. I was terribly sad to let them go. I thought fondly on my favorite times in college. I was happy for them.

This year, the ceremony couldn't end fast enough. I wanted them to leave. I didn't think fondly back on my own college experiences. I was indifferent.


I don't know if it's because it's not my first time at the rodeo, I'm unhappy with my job, or I'm just burned out. (Or perhaps it's a combination of all three?)


Will my affection for graduation ever return?

Most wonderful time of the year (part 3)

Almost a lifetime ago, I though that the most wonderful time of the year was when I got to leave the lab to go to Home State for a few days. My favorite part was reverting back to solo driving, rather than sharing my commute:

No more playing avoid-touching-the-undergrad on the bus. (Duh, 'cause they're a little smelly and sticky. Seriously. There's this one freshman that always smells like bacon. Ugh)

A bit later, I decided that LargeU's Candidate Season, was the best time of the year. Squirming candidates? As long as it isn't me, sign me up! I wrote a trio of (very, very bad) haikus to commemorate the Season, including one I called "Haiku for an nth year":

Feeling guilty now.
Should really apply for jobs.
Just came for the food.

But now I've decided that the most wonderful time of the year is actually RIGHT NOW. Grades are submitted(!!!!!), and the undergrads are (mostly) gone. Summer classes don't start for a couple of weeks, so I've sent my summer researchers away to catch up on sleep or whatever those crazy kids do these days.

Today I sat in my office for four hours straight without interruption. With the door open! Ah, bliiiisssssssssss!

I'd better not get used to this....

Flipping tables at faculty meeting

I was watching reruns on Bravo the other day. This clip in particular always makes me laugh/shudder:




While the general public might find this woman's table flipping behavior completely shocking, I'll bet that it doesn't faze that many faculty out there. After all, don't we see similar tantrums in faculty meeting at least once a semester?

Of course, I'm partly kidding. No one would shout out "prostitution whore" at the university president or a dean, right?


Right?

To click or not to click

I'm pondering using clickers in my classes in the fall. I have never taught with them. None of my undergrad or grad classes used them.

I don't have an opinion about them. On one hand, they will save me work because the grading is virtually (haha!) instant. On the other hand, they will create a bit of work for me because I will need to integrate them into my lectures and write appropriate questions and answers.

Do you click? Why or why not?

How to tell that I have a LOT of grading to do

There are some telling signs.

My floors are scrubbed. The vaccuming is done. The fourth load of laundry is ready to be folded. Loads of laundry are in neat, folded piles in the appropriate dresser drawers. Dishes are clean. Groceries have been purchased. My kitchen counters gleam.


Clearly I have a stack of grading on my desk that is screaming to be graded.



But perhaps the surest sign? My bathroom is clean... even the grout in between the ancient tiles!

There's no crying in finals!

I've had students cry before. I've had students blur their work with their tears.

But goodness.


I gave a final last night. At 7 pm. On the last day of finals. I knew my students would be exhausted from a week of finals (and partying). I knew their nerves were frayed.

Boy, did I underestimate the situation.

As the minutes passed, the waterworks started. To their credit, none of my students broke out into full sobs. They all hid their reactions (no pun intended!) quite well behind their hair. (I did not have any males cry...at least during the exam.)

I think that if my exam had been on the first or second day of finals, there would have been far fewer tears. I'm sure that with a little sleep and perspective, they will all be feeling better soon.


At least until they get their grades.

Women under attack

A recent post over at Chronicle on young, female faculty as the primary targets of disrepectful students has gotten me thinking.

Several commenters on the article questioned the data in the article, claiming that one cannot claim that young women are more often the target of rude students than their male counterparts.


Um... huh?



Isn't it common freakin' knowledge that, as a young faculty member who happens to be a woman, I am more like than my male collegues to have students try to toe the line with me?

Of course, I don't tolerate disrespect in my classroom. I nip it in the bud. This is why I am viewed as a tough (but fair?) witch rather than a pushover. ('cause there really are only two views of female professors, right?)

I'll wear my pointy hat and carry my broomstick with pride, thankyouverymuch.



At least there is no texting in my class!