Yesterday, I Spent 14 Hours Studying for a Bio-Chem Examination. I Figured, "Why Not Do This Before I Delve Into Graduate Research Projects?" (Um, I'm Kidding)

I snapped a photo of these notes (this review), while teaching my graduate course Tuesday night. Just having it on the board put pre-service teachers into a tizzy. When they entered, I told them they needed to copy everything they saw because there was going to be a quiz at the end of class. The joke flopped. They looked like they wanted to cry.

Covid. Pre-service teaching. Other classes. The holidays. 

Anxiety is at an all time high, so my little joke basically resulted in a panic. So, I slowed down. We processed the work needing to be done, and I lent myself to them for help. They are not doing surgery on brains (not even hernias), so they should breathe a little more. Ah, but there's lessons to be learned about expertise, knowledge, and being comfortable with the processes expected of you.

I was a jerk yesterday. I got up, bulldozed, and tried to get one of my courses finished. Projects have been trickling in (they were due last night at 11:59:59 - guess how many sent theirs at 11:59:59?). Still, there were enough turned in early, so I had a steady flow of keeping up. I will get the ones that came at 11:59:59 today, as well as begin receiving another batch from another class. I just want them done. There's a whole semester soon to follow, and tremendous service work to do over break (not to mention pressing writing projects that need to be submitted and, bites nails, started).

HOW THE @#$# IS IT CHRISTMAS NEXT WEEK? WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME?

Ah but I want you to blow up this picture, and begin studying these notes - super impressed by the handwriting and orderliness of it all. As hectic as my days are this week (as they are for all academics), I might have to learn all of this (again). Not doing it. Bless the kids studying for this examination. 

Okay, Thursday. The goal is to repeat yesterday....the grading frenzy is upon me once again. And as always, applause for administrators who schedule meetings galore at this time of year. They either have no clue, forgot what it's like to be in an actual classroom, or have sadistic tendencies. Seriously. They scheduled 3 meetings today...a week before Christmas, as classes are ending, and grading needs to be done. Welcome to the Master Class of Ineffectiveness. We'll do what we can.