Summer Goals

I hope I accomplish a great deal this summer to make next year less trying. Here's the list so far: 1. complete research for fall independent study 2. review last year's readings and make note cards of main points to prepare for test 3. read some of fall materials 4. lay out classes I teach for next fall 5. research readings for spring classes That should keep me busy for now! I'm battling a delayed depression from my mother's death. Keeping busy should help.

End of the Year

Well, my mother dying really made it difficult to deal with all of the stresses of a Ph.D. program. I felt like life was a blur for some time there. It's most difficult when I want to call her on the phone and can't. Now there are the additional demands on my time from taking care of estate matters. I was struggling before to help with her care. So, now I am trying to finish up all of those final projects. All of them, of course due the last week of classes. My students don't know how much they should appreciate the structure of my class, which does not have all of their work coming due in the final week. Of course, it's partly for my sanity as well. How on earth could I handle grading their papers when I need to write my own?