2008 Woodie Awards
Professors approach first week in different ways
By: Julie Sweetman
Issue date: 1/14/08 Section: News
Students are not the only ones who get nervous during the first week of the semester.
For professors, handing out the syllabus and speaking in front of a group of strangers can be jittery as well.
"Even after 12 years of teaching here at Central, I am still finding each and every semester to be quite nerve-racking, just by getting everything organized and making sure everything is ready for a new semester," said Elizabeth Alm, a biology faculty member .
Some professors take it easier than others.
Christopher Bailey, an economics temporary faculty member, and Charles V. Park Library faculty member Krista Graham said they only were nervous during their first few first-weeks at CMU.
Whether they feel anxious or not, many professors said they feel organized coming into their first day of classes.
"I am pretty organized," Alm said. "I have a lot to do on my spare time, and not just the time given to us during faculty prep days. I get everything done before the first day of class."
Many students gauge how the rest of the semester will go based on first impressions.
Some professors have a similar attitude about students when it comes to the first day.
"On occasions, I can tell how the semester will turn out," Bailey said. "If the class is energetic, I can tell it will be a very fun and energetic semester. On the other hand, if the class not very talkative, I can tell it is going to be kind of a boring semester."
Alm said she would like to make the first week start on a Wednesday because that way, the students and instructors can become more organized, making for a more relaxed environment.
Graham said there are upsides to the first week of class, such as starting new subjects and meeting new people.
"It is exciting just to see everybody back into the swing of things," Graham said. "The second semester all the students seem more relaxed, and they need less help because they just know what they are doing. So it makes it a little easier for me."
news@cm-life.com
For professors, handing out the syllabus and speaking in front of a group of strangers can be jittery as well.
"Even after 12 years of teaching here at Central, I am still finding each and every semester to be quite nerve-racking, just by getting everything organized and making sure everything is ready for a new semester," said Elizabeth Alm, a biology faculty member .
Some professors take it easier than others.
Christopher Bailey, an economics temporary faculty member, and Charles V. Park Library faculty member Krista Graham said they only were nervous during their first few first-weeks at CMU.
Whether they feel anxious or not, many professors said they feel organized coming into their first day of classes.
"I am pretty organized," Alm said. "I have a lot to do on my spare time, and not just the time given to us during faculty prep days. I get everything done before the first day of class."
Many students gauge how the rest of the semester will go based on first impressions.
Some professors have a similar attitude about students when it comes to the first day.
"On occasions, I can tell how the semester will turn out," Bailey said. "If the class is energetic, I can tell it will be a very fun and energetic semester. On the other hand, if the class not very talkative, I can tell it is going to be kind of a boring semester."
Alm said she would like to make the first week start on a Wednesday because that way, the students and instructors can become more organized, making for a more relaxed environment.
Graham said there are upsides to the first week of class, such as starting new subjects and meeting new people.
"It is exciting just to see everybody back into the swing of things," Graham said. "The second semester all the students seem more relaxed, and they need less help because they just know what they are doing. So it makes it a little easier for me."
news@cm-life.com
Be the first to comment on this story