Well have I messed up counting or what…. I did not count the study week, or the promo-meeting week in my original total number of these confession e-mails so I now present to you 1 of two bonus editions of the confessions e-mail, the study week version.
Campus life
During the study week, when I am teaching I use the time to catch up on marking and curriculum planning and maybe some beauty sleep, but this week I have gained a new perspective on life at Seneca in week 7B. SEQ was a buzz of activity! Painters fixing walls and slapping a new coat of shine on some tired walls, technicians moving equipment, setting up new equipment or the all important repairing old equipment and students using the “no class” time to get caught up on their own work. So much so that according to their calculations, AV technical services is reporting that this was the busiest study weeks in recent years, so thanks to all for working hard this week!
Print Shop
The print shop has not only go through its own transformation over the last few weeks with regard to services and staff and procedures, but this week it got a face lift in the form of an early spring clean and don’t forget about “Anna’s Crazy Sale” that is still on with prices so low, the manufactures are not allowing me to advertise them here. Look for the late night infomercial soon on youtube!
Review Time
In my role, I would be remiss if I did not mention some official policy stuff about half way through the semester procedures. Now would be a good time to acknowledge the students in your class, that for whatever reason, are falling behind and may be in jeopardy of not passing the course. Sending the students an academic advisement form does two things. First it tells the student that you care and see a potential problem, and that you are willing to help them and second, it gives you a chance to avoid a possible misunderstanding with the student on their marks in week 14. Forms are available in the photocopy room, or I can send you an electronic version if you ask me.
Power of Positive
In the vain of the last thought about review time, it is a good time to pick 2 or 3 students that are going the extra mile, and send them an email with an acknowledgment of some kind. I know personally I work harder knowing my effort is being recognized and I am sure I am not the only one so take time to tell your students they are doing a good job, and you actually will feel good as well.
In closing
I am sorry, this bonus confessions e-mail is coming to a close and it ends up being much shorter then previous weeks, so I encourage you to take the extra time that you would have spent reading it to get outside and find a couple of signs that spring is around the corner!
Enjoy your weekend, hug a family member, and call an old friend you have not talked to in a while, and get yourself ready for the home stretch and week 8, coming in just 70 hours.
Thanks! 7 (+1) down and 7 (+1) to go.
Jim