Fall Semester Redux

Tomorrow the new semester starts, so today, as I let lunch settle in and wait for the caffeine to take effect, I thought I'd write a quick blog about my goals for the new academic year. I can't remember if I got this from Clancy or from Billie, but instead of New Year's Resolutions, it's New Academic Year's Resolutions. Here we go:

Personal(ish)

• Bring my lunch at least two days a week. This is a common resolution for me, and I'm not particularly good at it, but I'm working on it.
• Buy super-good but super-pricey coffee at Caribou no more than 3 times a week. Right now I do it at least 5 days a week. I have a little coffee maker in my office and need to use that more often. The trip to Caribou, though, is often more about a quick break, a quick walk, and a quick moment with a few friends. So if I'm heading over, I should get cheaper tea or cheaper coffee as opposed to my beloved vanilla white chocolate mocha or caramel high rise. *sigh*
• To stick to more of a schedule, even though I'm only teaching two days a week.
• To try to eat better, to eat more salad, to less fried food, drink more water & less soda.

Teaching

• In some ways, this seems counterintuitive in a section on teaching, but I need more balance in my life. One of the ways I need to achieve that is to streamline my teaching practices. Last year, teaching took over. And it needed to. New job, new program, new curriculum, new classes. But this year, especially this first semester, I'm more familiar with these courses and I need to do a better job putting up some teaching boundaries. Teaching is like goldfish -- it'll grow to the take you put it in. I need to keep this tank just a little bit smaller. Do more with less. Reign in my comments. Teach smart(er).
• Try to stay a little more ahead of the curve than I was last year. I think I can do that this year. But I feel better, more centered, when I can see at least two weeks ahead. Last year I was so frazzled so much of the time that it was hard for me to do. I'm going to try to better this year.
• Organization, organization, organization. This is a constant goal, constant refrain for me.

Professional/Research

• Again, organization, organization, organization.
• More specifically, that idea of keeping my teaching in check so that I can do more research and writing.
• And even MORE specifically, this term I want to finish my article draft on argument and textbooks.
• To that end, I want to make sure I write at least 15 minutes a day. This is advice from Anne from a book about getting your journal article written in 12 weeks. It's good advice.
• I also want to figure out a new research project. I have about four ideas for KSU centered research and a few more text-based ideas I want to get to.
• Also, actually get that writing "group" going with Kara.

Overall Trends

• Balance, balance, balance
• Organization, organization, organization