tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post8907745171185596271..comments2023-10-15T04:23:50.187-04:00Comments on College Misery: It's Annie in Akron's First Day. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-91949458341697916582013-08-31T08:03:55.990-04:002013-08-31T08:03:55.990-04:00Annie, I am sorry I missed this thread. I am glad...Annie, I am sorry I missed this thread. I am glad you had a successful first day and I wish you many more wonderful days on the job! Bellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15686242633678466958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-15104099961672579812013-08-27T12:36:03.861-04:002013-08-27T12:36:03.861-04:00#2 is especially important. When I was new to teac...#2 is especially important. When I was new to teaching, I would do exactly the opposite: emphasize that you've been doing this for a while. NEVER say that this is your first class, or you're new on the job, or whatever. How you frame your experience dictates how much they think they can get away with.<br /><br />Though I used to be pretty condescending of them, now I oftentimes do dumb Dr. Colossushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14470085457331712203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-87349920272694178602013-08-27T12:19:26.342-04:002013-08-27T12:19:26.342-04:00Rock on Annie!!!! When I first started, I was jus...Rock on Annie!!!! When I first started, I was just a couple years older than most of my students, and younger than a few. So, I wore a blazer. It was like my armour - I felt more confident. I still wear a jacket or blazer. Plus, I like having pockets. <br /><br />Have a great semester!!Clara from Clevelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16457206132910568140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-63805586426743874372013-08-27T10:33:31.641-04:002013-08-27T10:33:31.641-04:00Also remember - there are going to be some student...Also remember - there are going to be some students in the class who are just as excited about the subject as you are. Find them and nurture them. They can change the dynamic in the room, and keep you sane. Glad your first day went well!Zeke Zymurgyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14103634342855587849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-86587117991331895192013-08-26T21:58:26.204-04:002013-08-26T21:58:26.204-04:00You can do it, Annie. Kick ass! And don't worr...You can do it, Annie. Kick ass! And don't worry about your 'authority'. No, I mean, seriously - don't worry about it. It's like chum in the water. Kidding! Sort of. Seriously, though, you got this. Be cool, have fun with it. Let them see what got you excited about the subject in the first place. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-45700918513382519062013-08-26T20:45:31.442-04:002013-08-26T20:45:31.442-04:00Just remember--no matter how incompetent you feel,...Just remember--no matter how incompetent you feel, you know more about the subject matter than they do.<br />And it's a helluva lot of fun to share it with them.Iyrrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06272150097841691708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-31172965946790208162013-08-26T16:47:49.825-04:002013-08-26T16:47:49.825-04:00Annie writes:
I can't thank you all enough fo...<i>Annie writes:</i><br /><br />I can't thank you all enough for the encouragement. And to Fab and Calico who sent me emails! (I met Cal once at an MLA and think he's a brilliant writer.)<br /><br />In my first class I found myself looking at a young girl in the back row who looked as nervous as I felt. I spoke right to her, covered the few items I wanted to cover, and then let them looseCollege Miseryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01371354682300032653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-84688709608166267822013-08-26T16:47:31.567-04:002013-08-26T16:47:31.567-04:00I have to agree with Peter K. I teach a full class...I have to agree with Peter K. I teach a full class in Hamster Care the first day, albeit with introductions and a tour of the syllabus, but I find concentrating on the material you know helps you feel more confident...<br /><br />Though I still feel nervous before the first class.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-66975551949485236262013-08-26T16:14:36.804-04:002013-08-26T16:14:36.804-04:00I make my first day all about the subject; no chit...I make my first day all about the subject; no chit-chat. You may be nervous, but they are terrified (although this varies with the subject and level of the class.) <br /><br />By concentrating on the Hamsterology you love, you place yourself on safe ground--you know this backwards and forwards, and they're clueless about it--and let them become very aware of the distance. Hence, no challengesPeter Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00754472537710161295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-44342991935333024382013-08-26T15:22:45.184-04:002013-08-26T15:22:45.184-04:00I spent the first week of my teaching career sitti...I spent the first week of my teaching career sitting on the desk because my legs were too shaky to stand.<br /><br />Now, I don't get nervous on Day 1 anymore unless it's in a new setting or at a new school. But it took about 15 years to get to the point where I felt confident rather than nervous.The Contemplative Cynichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02088570661592922436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-60727736485767641852013-08-26T10:55:52.028-04:002013-08-26T10:55:52.028-04:00Buck up, Annie. I'm in the same boat. After yo...Buck up, Annie. I'm in the same boat. After you get through the first day/week, you'll feel much better.<br /><br />Good luck!Iskanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15890540417632709181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-18783751172977373222013-08-26T10:01:25.487-04:002013-08-26T10:01:25.487-04:00The day I don't get nervous walking to the fir...The day I don't get nervous walking to the first meeting of a new class is the day I'll get a new career. I would suggest, as difficult as it is, you walk in the room as if you own the place. When something goes wrong, as it always does, dismiss it and move on. <br /><br />I once did the first day meet and greet at a uni where I had been a student. I took a seat on the left side, half waySarcastic Bastardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01407507896787403097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-58694194572722626962013-08-26T10:01:09.634-04:002013-08-26T10:01:09.634-04:00Oh God it always feels like I'm going to pass ...Oh God it always feels like I'm going to pass out the first week, and I, like others here, have been doing it forever.<br /><br />Guaranteed you're going to make it, Annie. Guaranteed you're going to chuckle about it in a couple of weeks. Guaranteed you know more about that any student you're ever going to have.<br /><br />Try to breathe and just have fun. Sometimes when I'm Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-74406618139255056512013-08-26T09:04:26.110-04:002013-08-26T09:04:26.110-04:00And if you have an issue with a surly student, kic...And if you have an issue with a surly student, kick hir out. At least that's something I can keep up my sleeve.<br /><br />I've been around for 11 years and I get the same panic/excitement every time. It's the going into the unknown bunch of kiddos that does it. Every class has a different overall personality. CrayonEaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10126396989880932207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-63428530276283918412013-08-26T08:17:40.064-04:002013-08-26T08:17:40.064-04:00I remember my first FT teaching gig. I sat in my ...I remember my first FT teaching gig. I sat in my office and thought that they must have made a mistake hiring ME, as I was clearly not ready to do this. But I survived. Yes, all those bad things you worry about are out there, they will not likely all happen to you on the first day. Also, people tell horror stories because they are interesting and dramatic. It is much more interesting for me Academic Charlotte Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06617435890922621735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-68984378231943235472013-08-26T08:16:17.252-04:002013-08-26T08:16:17.252-04:001. Remember that the students are just as nervous ...1. Remember that the students are just as nervous about the first day of school. <br />2. Do not tell your eager students that, "This is your first time teaching this class." That will give them an incentive to make you miserable. <br />3. Lie to them, if necessary. Telling a class, "Thank you for all the great e-mails asking questions about the homework." even if there Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815313561677464295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-72230226667469089052013-08-26T07:37:14.174-04:002013-08-26T07:37:14.174-04:00And, BTW, I've been teaching for 24 years, and...And, BTW, I've been teaching for 24 years, and I *still* get the flop sweats on each and every first-class-meeting. It's cool. It's normal. It is indicative of your humaness and distance from sociopathy.Mrs. Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00398436173535554878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-90158977986751811212013-08-26T07:35:29.887-04:002013-08-26T07:35:29.887-04:00What Nancy said; truly.What Nancy said; truly.Mrs. Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00398436173535554878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-56722499773819401902013-08-26T06:57:30.694-04:002013-08-26T06:57:30.694-04:00You'll be fine. Take a deep breath and tell yo...You'll be fine. Take a deep breath and tell yourself that because it's true. Twelve years ago I was in your position - just out of grad school, teaching full time for the first time. And I was just as sick as you with anxiety. Today is my first day too and I'm still nervous. But with time, it gets easier.<br /><br />You cannot possibly anticipate everything that will pop up and you&#Nancy from Nileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10591411416569254031noreply@blogger.com