Hi everyone!! I made it through the week!!! This seriously may have been one of the hardest weeks of my life. I honestly don't think I've ever worked as hard as this for a consecutive period of time as I did this week. Don't get me wrong... I've pulled 12 hour or longer days... especially in lab. But usually it would be one or two days... not a week. And we all know that in lab you do get down time (usually) while experiments are running. That doesn't happen so much at this point in my career. Everyone always thinks that teaching is so "easy." That if they can't do what they want, then they'll just teach. Let me tell you, the first year definitely is NOT easy. Trying to write lesson plans for different classes and keep ahead of your students while at the same time grading their assignments in a timely manner. And of course at a school like this, if a student comes to you with a question, you have to drop everything and spend as much time as needed with them. And don't get me wrong... that's the reason that I came to this school. But I won't say that a part of me died when 2 students came in not long after Kent told me to write up a different chapter, needing help for their exam that was a couple hours away. And they were in my office for that entire time reviewing. So yeah... it's definitely crazy. I know that after I get my lesson plans done that my life will become much easier and I'll have more time to devote to trying to make my lectures more interesting, exciting, whatever. Right now my goal is to just get the info to the students. Next year, my goal will be to get it to them in the most informative/best way. We'll see how that goes. I just hope that I don't take that for granted... that I remember exactly how hard I worked this year so that I can appreciate my schedule next year.
So I am very proud of myself right now... I got all of my lesson plans for that stupid Gen Bio class done (at least the ones I need to do for next week... then I don't teach for 7 weeks... YAY!!) I also got all of my exams graded. And I am so excited!!! My Principles students (non-majors) averaged a 79.5 on their exam!!! That is seriously the highest average I've ever seen. Especially on this first exam which is always a toughy because we go through respiration and photosynthesis which just sucks. The lowest grade was a 60.5... so everyone passed!! That's seriously a first for me. I think that it was probably a combination of 3 things... 1) it's possible I made the exam a bit easier... although I had many of the same questions on there that I've used in previous classes that didn't fare as well, 2) these students may just be at a higher level than I'm used to so they will naturally do better, and 3) this is the 3rd time I've taught this stuff... and I do feel like I'm finally getting my point across better than I did in the past. So yeah... that makes me happy. :) I just hope that it keeps up!!!
Speaking of exams... so as I was grading the Gen Bio exams (first year majors course) I have to say that I did get some pleasure out of seeing a few students who have been VERY full of themselves just BOMB the exam. You can tell that these students have never had to work and don't think they should have to work for a grade. And of course they all think they're going to med school... and not just any med school, but they want to go to some of the top ones. I'm just like... a few of you will be lucky to make it out of Elmhurst!!! And when I say bomb... I only graded my section (which was a majority of the exam) and they have already failed the exam just with their grade on my section. And Kent still has to grade his section. So yeah... those students are in SERIOUS trouble. Let's hope that it puts a few of them in their place and makes them realize that this isn't a blow off. I was talking to one of my Genetics students yesterday who apparently has a friend in Gen Bio. And she was like... yeah, my friend wasn't studying and I asked her why not. She said she didn't need to. The Genetics girl was just like... ummm... okay. I studied my butt off for that class!! I was just like... yeah, I think a few students are going to get a wake-up call when they get their exams back. So we'll see what happens.
What else?? Oh... so today I leave for Lake Geneva to go on the women's retreat with my church. I finally got excited about it last night... I'm most excited to just get away from everything, not think about school, etc. The schedule is really open and leaves LOTS of time for free time to do what I want... wander around Lake Geneva, etc. (assuming it doesn't pour rain!!) So yeah... the idea of relaxation is great. I will say that I'm slightly worried about the whole 4 females in one room and how that's going to work with sleeping. LOL Hopefully it won't be too bad. :) But anyway... I am sad that I won't be home just because it would be nice to have a little time at home to relax and spend time with Mark. But that's okay. That's what Sunday night is for. :)
Anyway, that's the scoop with me. I'm going to go work on my Genetics lectures. I'm excited to teach this class... I really like these students and these ones have already gotten their butts kicked in previous classes, so they know better. :) But yeah... that is what I'll be teaching for the next 7 weeks (thus the reason I won't be teaching Gen Bio during that time) so I need to get cracking on those lectures. Yippee!!
Oky doky kids... have a great weekend and I'll write again soon (hopefully!)
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