Nostaglia Update

... the nostalgia didn't last long...
I got the most ridiculous answers to the short answer questions.

Reasons they should have answered the short answers better:
1: We spent 2 (count them 2) weeks on this topic
2: I told them it was the topic of my thesis so I would definitely put it on the test
3: One of the questions was worded EXACTLY the same as a sample question from the study guide

The "best" answer I got....
They brought the idea of ideology to....


Ah yes, the ever elusive idea of ideology

Amateur Mistake

Complaining about passive voice... amateur mistake....

Possibly the worst sentence ever written....

"Historically, Culturally, and socially are characteristics of mariachi and it is why its so important."

Passive Voice

I know that not everyone had Father Butler for their freshman year (IN HIGH SCHOOL) English class, but really you guys are juniors and seniors quit using the passive voice! As Father Butler pointed out if you can say "by Clyde" after it- don't use it!

And while we're at it let's learn some other adjectives besides important and good.... oh and another adverb besides really- quit modifying things, it's really quite boring.

And maybe focus an essay... and have a thesis... and ... time for a bottle of wine

Best Sentences of the Semester

"The ability to manipulate people threw he say/she say I believe is amazing."
-From a student looking forward to a career in law, he didn't specify which side.

"There was a time, like in the 1800s, when women were not valued for their beauty."
-Written in test essay in purple pen.

"Boy was u wrong."
-Why this would ever need to be written in even a quasi-academic paper puzzles me.

"But now that I have had time to reflect, I now see how it has been detrimental to my success in my first semester of college."
-In an essay on how x program HELPED him. Right click, synonym...not antonym.

Essays

My students are struggling with the concept of identify AND explain.

I am struggling with the concept of describing " your motivation, academic preparation, and aptitude for graduate study...describe your academic plans and research interests, your specialization within your academic field, your research experiences and your career goals." in 500 words.

Teachers are People Too

"Prof. F did you ever drink when you were in college?"
No. I was locked in a room on campus and only let out to attend classes and go to the library. I never drank or had any fun. All I did was read and write.*

"As the only White person in the class, I think..."
Dear students I too am White and a person.


*Despite the fact that this is currently all I do (plus teaching my little darlings), I did have moments of greatness as an undergrad. I looking forward to their return.

WTF, NWR

I have been alternating between completing my thesis /working on applications to PhD programs and grading.

I am tired of writing the same comments on papers and trying to decipher whether, in any circumstance, x could be a valid answer.
What I really want to write on MOST of the papers is WTF, NWR (What the Fuck, Not Worth Reading).

I figure these abbreviations are perhaps more beneficial than my 1/2 page of suggestions on how to improve one's writing. Based on the redundancy of mistakes, no one is bothering to read those.

Update- because it's more fun than my thesis or personal statement

A vignette between myself and one of the students with lame excuses:

After the second midterm

Txting Timmy: "It's really easy if you read."

Me (to myself): "No shit asshole."
Me (out loud): "It is always easier if you've prepared. How do you feel about the test?"

Txting Timmy: "It was so easy, like a high school test. I didn't answer the last two 'cause I didn't know them."

Me (to myself): "The last two questions were true/false. You've got a 50/50 chance of guessing correctly--simply stunning."
Me (out loud): "K, see you later."

Lame Excuses

Why didn't you complete the study guide?

"The internet was down on campus."
The internet was down the ENTIRE weekend. I received emails from some of you.

"I don't get your emails on the school's email account."
I told you that if you preferred you could give me another email address. None of you chose to do that.

"Can I show you my work tomorrow, cause I didn't have time to do this."
No. I don't care if you chose to complete the study guide. But given that most of you scored in the 50-60 range, you might want to try to listen to the review AND work through the study guide for yourself.

Circling the Drain

Your students are so disrespectful that you walked out of class?!? They say they have nothing to learn from you. Maybe the curriculum is too easy for them. (Would that be the curriculum YOU design and hold me to?) Have you tried SITTING IN A CIRCLE? (Oh, because when I stand in the front of the room, I might seem like a professor that should be respected?) Did you set community standards to follow like I suggested? (Begrudgingly, yes I did.) Oh you did. Hmm.... I'll come by your class; there are lots of different teaching styles you could use. (You're right it must be my approach to teaching and not their attitudes.)

Come on, are you kidding me?

P.S. This is really not helping to bolster my confidence as I apply to PhD programs...teaching abilities, mental stability?!?