Last week was exhausting yet exhilarating. Grading a never-ending pile of final papers (and yes, I read all 137 of them) by day, relaxing and milking L's last days in the 'burg by night. It was certainly not a sustainable pace for me, but I don't think it is likely to happen again in quite that way.
On the academic side, I was at times really frustrated with students who I knew could do better, but for whatever reason chose not to put the effort into their final papers. But on the other hand, I was super proud of the students who really pulled together something great at the end of the semester. [This part of the week will probably happen again. Every semester, in fact.]
On the social side, I was at times so happy to feel like my (true) self - laughing too loud and razzing friends sarcastically. But on the other hand, I knew that all the revelry was for a reason. It was the end-of-semester euphoria...a sentiment shared by students and (frankly) professors alike.
To be clear, for all its insanity, it was not my "real life" in the 'burg. But for one week, at least, it was.
And so ended the 2010-2011 academic year. All in all, I would call it a successful one even though the classroom continues to provide endless challenges for me. Student apathy is certainly rampant and as a result, I'm usually surprised when students are shocked that I take a real interest in their lives.
Even though I may joke about it, I think that some of them are among the brightest and most talented people I have met. Why wouldn't I want to be a part of that? I could honestly talk to these folks (or even just listen to them) forever.
Of course it's not all sunshine and roses...not everyone is going to love me and/or my style. Maybe they want more law, less ethics. Maybe they don't want to hear about professionalism from someone who they think is only a few years older than them. Maybe they think I don't know what I'm talking about. Maybe they're thinking that they are engineers for a reason - they don't do well with memorization of definitions or they hate writing.
I've learned to not obsess over it. Some of my colleagues feed on the negative feedback and some of them just don't care. I admit that it crushes me a little bit when I get a bad review, but luckily with such a big class every semester, I am usually able to drown out the negative with the positives.
And even though this whole professor thing is relatively new to me, it has brought many "positives" to my life. For the third year, I worked at the spring commencement ceremony for the College of Engineering and it's something I actually enjoy. Graduation is just such a happy time! The proud parents, the elated students, the beaming faces all over campus. What you'll notice is that even though it may be the last time many of them see each other and most are approaching the great unknown of full-time employment, the overwhelming emotion is pure joy.
"There is a good reason they call these ceremonies 'commencement exercises.' Graduation is not the end, it's the beginning." ~ Orrin Hatch
And thus begins another cycle for those of us here. In my academic life, I will continue to strive to be a better educator, friend, and colleague. I will try to be more patient and positive. In my social life...well...I'll try to get a social life in the wake of L and D's departure. :)
It's not the end, it's just the beginning...
So stay tuned. I predict good things for the 2011-2012 year!
"If my critics saw me walking over the Thames they would say it was because I couldn't swim."
ReplyDeleteMargaret Thatcher. College kids will complain about anything. Don't take us too seriously. We'll all thank you someday, whether we realize it or not.