So, the onslaught of work continues as we are ramping up to a new semester here at Sorta’ Cosmopolitan. Yesterday, I had plans to work on my conference paper, but was sidetracked by the many students who were dumped in my lap. Why does this happen? Because I am the only one around from XXXXX discipline. Grrrrr. Today, I am working behind closed doors. Hopefully that will keep people away.
Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy my students. And one of the students I had to deal with yesterday was pretty easy on the eyes — a nice change considering that with all the construction going on around USC, we’ve had nothing but ugly workers around here. So much for the whole Diet Coke commercials. (Yes, I am a dirty minded ol’ woman, what can I say?) But, I do need to be much more protective of my own time because this is a crucial year for me. I need to get a couple more articles out in circulation, I need to make a credible start on my two newer research projects, and I need to get a book proposal in the works.
So, here are my new “academic year” resolutions:
- I will be more protective of my “free” time. To do this, I am planning on working in the library on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. If I’m not in my office, the support staff will have to find someone else to dump students on.
- I will study my Dutch one hour a day. I want to make sure that I don’t lose what I’ve learned. This is important to me because I plan on starting my Dutch-based research in the Spring.
- I will not excessively prepare for class. I’ve already taught all of these classes before, so I don’t need to tinker around with the slides. I know the material and I am a confident teacher. By relying on what I’ve already developed, I can free up more time for my research projects.
- I will go home before it gets dark out. Yes, I’ve had this resolution in the past, but sometimes I get so caught up in doing stuff that I forget to go home. I have to remember that my life is more than my job — and I need time to enjoy my hobbies (or at least watch Weeds and Californication).
- I will take Saturdays off. I have to remember that I am much more productive when I work 6 days/week instead of 7. I’m also a nicer person.
Okay, that’s it. I was going to say something about having a positive attitude, but I think the boat has already sailed on that resolution. Maybe I could just be sweetly cynical, with a big smile plastered on my face? Think that would fool anyone?
I have largely the same resolutions (except for the Dutch!). I’m trying to beat my record from last year in keeping them (I lasted about a week and a half).
[...] I had a long standing tradition of posting these each year, but apparently, I haven’t done this since 2007. I guess I forgot to do them last year while I was working on the ol’ tenure [...]