When classes start I’ll quit
I’ve got until September 6
When classes start I’ll quit this
This is just some summer slippage
–Lifter Puller, “Mission Viejo” *
Resolutions are usually associated with New Year’s, but for those of in higher ed, or for people with school-age children, the “new year” usually arrives in August or September. It can be an opportunity to make yourself anew, even if just in some small way. (Of course, this year many of us are dealing with furloughs, higher insurance costs, and other involuntary concessions!)
For example, this year I’m doing two things differently:
- We’re going (largely) vegetarian, which has taken a bit more planning than I thought.
- I’m giving up my headphones on campus. (Backstory: I walk to work, and so I have a pretty good headphone/headset combo that lets me listen to music and make calls. I usually leave ‘em on until I get to my office or to class.) Now that I’m president of our local union chapter, disappearing into the sonic cocoon seems like the wrong image. When I get to campus, I’ll slip ‘em off.
What about you? Anything you’re quitting this academic year? (No points for saying “Prof. Hacker“!!!! We’ll be even more awesome in about 2 weeks.)
*Lifter Puller is the band from whence sprang–like Athena from the head of Zeus–The Hold Steady, the official band of Prof. Hacker. I know it’s not cool to love bands that rock, that we’re all supposed to stand around and nod to blippy electronic stuff or play guess-the-sample–but it’s no exaggeration to say that The Hold Steady will save your soul. See for yourself here: even the public radio listeners start jumping up and down at a live set. Their recent live album, A Positive Rage (normally I link to the mp3 version, but the bonus tracks are worth it), has more energy than three cups of coffee. Plus, the band’s got excellently quotable lyrics, like “we’re gonna build something this summer,” or “Let this be my annual reminder, we can all be something bigger.” They’re so quotable that my 6-yr-old’s favorite song on this earth is their “Ask Her For Some Adderall,” which is *totally* appropriate for children.
** Who had “three weeks” in the “When will Jason post about The Hold Steady?” pool?
[image by flickr user musicisentropy cc licensed]
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6 Responses to When Classes Start I’ll Quit: Any resolutions for the new year?
Alex Jarvis - August 21, 2009 at 2:10 pm
I would have chosen “Tongue-clucking grammarian” as the official song, but I am just a lowly student.
Alex Jarvis - August 21, 2009 at 2:12 pm
(Link to aforementioned song : http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/song/Tongue_Clucking_Grammarian/22977229)
George - August 21, 2009 at 3:38 pm
My resolutions:
To be more patient… with everyone. I can turn into a jerk when I’m stressed, and that doesn’t do anyone any good.
To anticipate and manage my stress more effectively. Take it easy on the caffeine, say “No” more often when asked to take on a project (but point people in the direction of those who might help them.) Exercise more regularly. Get to bed earlier.
To walk more slowly when I’m on campus so that colleagues, friends, and students feel like I’m happy to talk with them should they encounter me. I don’t always need to be in a hurry.
To totally steal adopt Jason‘s habit of starting every email with “Dear [name],” and closing with some variation of “Best | Sincerely | Yours.” It’s a simple thing to do, but it’s really nice to receive an email with that framework around it.
Please keep your fingers crossed for me! Maybe we can all chime in later in the semester about how we’re doing on keeping our resolutions.
Beth Kuebler-Wolf - August 21, 2009 at 10:58 pm
I have two goals: 1, to schedule writing sessions and gym time in my calendar and honor those commitments and 2, to avoid the temptations of Facebook during the week, to facilitate my writing time. We’ll see how it goes…
Bret Benesh - August 22, 2009 at 1:10 pm
My resolutions:
Re-implement Getting Things Done now that I have more responsibility at this job.
Run every day before class (except Fridays).
Ride my bike to school until Daylight Saving (except on rainy days or days when I need to transport a lot of stuff).
Set aside 70 minutes to do research every other day.
Tanya Roth - August 22, 2009 at 10:21 pm
My goals thus far:
Make sure to actually use the calendar on my phone more to keep track of tasks and appointments.
Not work on weekends. (Because: I’ve been obsessed with my dissertation and realized it’s not healthy for me if I work 12 hours in a day and then spend evenings and weekends feeling like I should still be working.)