End of the Semester
So we’re headed into Finals Week here at Indiana University South Bend and all its accompanying emotional ups and downs.
First, the ups . . .
- The Winter Break
Students (and faculty, too!) look forward to a few weeks of “pressure’s off.” Of course, students find themselves catching up on all that’s been put aside for the last several weeks (or months? (laundry? cleaning out those green growing things in the back of the fridge?)), and faculty get a chance to dig into some serious writing that’s been neglected due to the demands of teaching and committee work piled on their plates since late August. It’s a time, though, of setting one’s own schedule and taking advantage of large blocks of uninterrupted time. - A Clean Slate
With the coming new semester, everyone gets a chance to start over . . . old habits developed over the past term can be broken with self-promises of doing things differently next semester. As a faculty member, I always look forward to the start of a new semester and a new group of students (not that I don’t like my soon-to-be former students!). - Holiday Celebrations
There’s a lot to be said for celebrating the holidays, whether you’re a lover of Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hannukah, or just a fan of celebrating family and those close to you. Building lasting relationships and celebrating those relationships seems to be much keener in our minds and hearts at this time of year. My wife and I will spend time with my family this year in Iowa, and I’m looking forward to that very much.
Of course, there are always some disadvantages to Finals Week . . .
- Stress . . .
The media talk a lot about “high stakes testing” in public schools brought about (or made more critical) by No Child Left Behind. At the collegiate level, students find themselves pressured by high stakes testing every semester at this time. Faculty, too, find themselves stressed over grading work quickly so that grades can be submitted in a timely fashion (IU requires final grades within 48 hours of the final), yet grading thoroughly enough to make a competent assessment of students’ knowledge. - End of Class
I’ll admit it. I really like my students. I spent several years in corporate training and didn’t much like it. Why? Training sessions of 1 to 5 days didn’t allow for the types of relationships that are built when I see students over a 15-week semester; I really missed that. Now that classes are coming to an end, I wonder if my students know how much of an impression they’ve made on me? I hope they know how much I enjoy being their teacher, mentor, and guide.
Whether you focus on the ups or dwell on the downs, Finals Week is here . . . keep smiling, and think about Thursday, December 14. Sometime late that afternoon, it’ll all be over.
Well put. I agree completely.
And thanks for the e-mail kick in my rear . . .
Happy holidays, buddy!
Comment by John Curry — December 8, 2006 @ 7:14 pm
Okay Spitzer-
We all like the new clean slate of each semester and we vow not to wait until that last moment to study or finish a paper, etc.. Every one will admit they have done it a time or two.
This last semester has been fun! Not only did I have an exceptional professor, but all the students in class had fun learning together. They helped each other throughout the entire semester. I will miss the group but some of us will be in class together again.
As to the break…………we all need it! Happy Winter!
Comment by Heidi — December 27, 2006 @ 1:17 am
I think all of the above is true~ and really this has been an enlightening class and I too look forward to learning from my students once I am on my way to teaching.
Comment by Kim Koscher — March 22, 2007 @ 11:52 pm
I have often wondered if professors think of us as real people, of since they have so many students, they think of us more as numbers. I personally have felt that I have been treated very well by all of my profs, but I still wondered. It’s nice to know that we are thought of as real people and not just a “number”.
Comment by Lisa Tageson — March 22, 2007 @ 11:54 pm
I totally agree about end of the semester it is a time of stress. But I feel that you can handle that stress in a positive way by looking foward to the end of the semester and the start of something new whether that be Christmas break or summer break and for me that’s summer break. I love getting to know new people and professor’s and am sad at the end of the semester but excited to start a new one!!
Comment by Emily — March 22, 2007 @ 11:57 pm
Yes, winter break is nice and coming back from winter break is like starting school all over again and you have all new people in your classes and then after the fisrt class or two it is back to the grind again.
Comment by Ray Lyvers — March 23, 2007 @ 12:00 am
I would not really consider the end of class a disappointment for most of my classes!! This class has been fun and I have learned a lot about computers and teaching, but I am ready for summer break. I agree that finals time is stressful and I am always overwhelmed at what I have to do.
Comment by Erin — March 26, 2007 @ 4:16 pm
I think that the end of the semester is both stressful and also a relief. I agree with thinking about it positively, by saying to myself once I get through finals week, I can relax and enjoy my break.
Comment by Melissa — March 26, 2007 @ 4:17 pm
I think that test taking is extreamly stressful. I think that it is so stressful because in many class’s your entire grade revolves around two or three tests. This means if you perform poorly on either or both of these tests your grade is lousy. I am a fan of reciving grades for other things: homework, quizes, essays and so on. THis way students can have a chance to show what they know in a non-test way. The result would be less stress!
Comment by Amy — March 28, 2007 @ 6:08 pm