First-class dilemma

Tonight is the first night of the new semester for me. It's the fourth time in as many years that I will have tought this particular class, so I don't have to do much more than check last year's notes and show up on time. All that and I get paid, too :)

 

I do have a dilemma during the first class of the semester, however: I always want to make a good impression. And, I want to make an accurate impression. I need to convey that I'm smart, have a sense of humor, want the students to show up for as many classes as possible, and don't sweat the small stuff. My record on conveying this is probably mixed, since I think it usually takes a few classes before the students really pick up on my lazy-faire vibe.

 

Seriously, after tonight, these kids (I still call 'em kids, even though most will be older than me) will only have 22 more sessions with me before the class is over. I'm not bustin' chops here. I want them to get in, learn what they need to learn, and get out. And not e-mail me every time they're going to be late because they have to pick their kid up. Stuff happens, I get it.

 

Well, no sense in working myself up unnecessarily in advance. I'll try to achieve mellowness then head out to my classroom to make sure my key still works. (A first- or second-year adjunct would have come to campus ahead of time to check. But like I said, it's not my first rodeo.)

 

Check out the rest of my blog!