Last time I promised to talk about getting yourself running that next race with some breaks in between. The “race” I’m talking about is the constant progression and search for knowledge. While classes may in fact end at some point, and be marked by the thick border of a lengthy break, the progression of students (and their interests) is another matter entirely. It’s a difficult task to convince yourself to continue working while you’re on a much deserved vacation. While I think my qualifying exams generally trump others’ legitimate successes in the “painful, long, and difficult” categories, I do think … Continue reading →

Since I’m not a troubled instructor this semester (and I’ve taken the role of a dutiful TA) I am being re-introduced to the simultaneous joy and terror of a large, introductory course. It is at this point that I feel I must return to one of my favorite sayings: read the syllabus. The reason for this decree is because of the overwhelming amount of email I’ve been receiving recently. “How do I…” “Can you tell me…” “Do you know if…” etc. These types of questions are smothering my inbox during these first weeks and it is an unfortunate reality that … Continue reading →

It’s that time of year again in academia. The year is wrapping up and finals are around the corner. The students are getting excited about a longer break and a period of time without homework or assigned readings. Some of them have even decided to take a look at their grades that have been available to them twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week since the beginning of the semester. Some of them have also, upon recommendation, decided to look at that pesky syllabus I drone on about frequently. I can hear it all around me: the end … Continue reading →