In a previous post I talked about one of the great pleasures of teaching: Terms have beginnings and endings. It's corollary is that we generally get NEW students each term, so we get a chance to start over with new ideas and approaches.
This has been a tough term. It has been extremely busy, but fortunately I taught my last class of the term last Thursday. I still have a final exam to give, but that is small potatoes so to speak.
I had a tough group of undergrads this term. I suspect that the majority of them were introverts. They were NOT prone to speaking in class, with only a couple of exceptions. I want an ENGAGED, interactive group of students, because otherwise I can't tell what is going on. The lack of enthusiasm for speaking out was tough on them and me.
On the graduate front, it was a good bit better, but the volume was overwhelming. We lost a faculty member, and I inherited several of his students. But that's not all bad.
In fact, I am thankful to be where I am and doing what I am doing. I could quit with little repercussions, but I still enjoy it, despite the challenges. I know many, many people endure their jobs because they have no alternative.
I rejoice to spend time with young people, and trying to solve interesting and complex physiological problems. It is rewarding at times. I have one of the few jobs where you can justify getting exercise on the job. Many of the people at the University are interesting, even if I disagree with most of their views. There are new challenges most weeks. Not much is humdrum about this.
As I have said on many occasions. I thank G^d for the great job I have. I hope to keep at it a few years more.
But it's still nice to have some time off.
Thanks be to G^d.
This has been a tough term. It has been extremely busy, but fortunately I taught my last class of the term last Thursday. I still have a final exam to give, but that is small potatoes so to speak.
I had a tough group of undergrads this term. I suspect that the majority of them were introverts. They were NOT prone to speaking in class, with only a couple of exceptions. I want an ENGAGED, interactive group of students, because otherwise I can't tell what is going on. The lack of enthusiasm for speaking out was tough on them and me.
On the graduate front, it was a good bit better, but the volume was overwhelming. We lost a faculty member, and I inherited several of his students. But that's not all bad.
In fact, I am thankful to be where I am and doing what I am doing. I could quit with little repercussions, but I still enjoy it, despite the challenges. I know many, many people endure their jobs because they have no alternative.
I rejoice to spend time with young people, and trying to solve interesting and complex physiological problems. It is rewarding at times. I have one of the few jobs where you can justify getting exercise on the job. Many of the people at the University are interesting, even if I disagree with most of their views. There are new challenges most weeks. Not much is humdrum about this.
As I have said on many occasions. I thank G^d for the great job I have. I hope to keep at it a few years more.
But it's still nice to have some time off.
Thanks be to G^d.
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