Home Alone

My family is out of town for the weekend.  I've still spent most of my time doing schoolwork, so it's not like I've partied.  (I can't remember ever partying, come to think of it.  I'm pretty sober overall.)

So I'm still worn out physically and mentally.  I need to change my workload (lessen it, that is).

After Break

It's the week after Fall Break, and I don't feel well-rested.  I've got projects coming in and the grading is running me ragged.

Not enough sleep, not enough down-time for my body and achy muscles.

Made It to Break

Well, it's Break.  Not that I've noticed much---no catching up on sleep or recreation.  Body aches something also, especially my head.

Want to be ahead;  want to have my class preparation wrapped up, a plan for the rest of the semester.  Want to feel on top of things instead of dealing with work responsibilities on a day-by-day basis.

Halfway Point

Our midterm is this coming Friday.  It is shocking on a deep level that we are at the halfway point---so much yet to cover.  On the other hand my teaching load seems to have ingrained itself on me---as if we've always done it this way.

My grading is in pretty good shape as the deadline for turning grades in approaches.  The students may be more stressed out than I am.

Not Enough Sleep

I had hoped that stepping down as chair would ease up on my workload on weeknights and weekends, but so far it hasn't.  I'm still doing a lot of grading and class preparations out of the office.

I have been trying to catch up on the deferred parenting, going at least once a week to get my daughter from her volleyball games, driving my son to scouting stuff.  That seems to be switching out the work hours.

I still am not at a point in my academic life where I can take a weekend off.

Third Week

We're in our third week of classes.  I've started singing in our university no-audition singing group, and between that and commitments to our kids in the afternoon my schedule feels crowded;  I've been spending late nights on grading again.

Not quite sure how to adjust this for the Spring;  I'll need to make time to figure out how.

First Week of Classes

I've met all my classes more than once by now.  One of the sections is huge;  I don't have a good sense for them yet, other than their demeanor being friendly until Friday and then losing their attention.  The others all seem eager to please.  One class is all freshmen, so that isn't a big surprise.

Not much grading yet, but I still feel behind for no particular reason.  Maybe I always feel behind and that's what pushes me to prepare as much as I do.  There's something for further reflection.