Decompressing after a Semester: Reflecting on Courses and Preparing for the Future
The end of the semester is just around the corner, and we can feel the stress and excitement floating through the air! The hustle and bustle of arriving to the last day of classes, giving and grading final exams, emails from students asking if they can still submit assignments or earn extra credit… Sigh! Another semester is gone. What now?
It is a good time to decompress, allowing yourself the opportunity to breathe and unwind, respite from all the expectations that you did or did not meet throughout past academic year. I can give you a list of activities that we all know can help us relax, such as taking a break, going on a long-awaited vacation, spending time with friends or family, treating yourself to a spa day, or going to happy hour. While all of these things are great and I suggest trying as many as possible, what often gets overlooked is taking the time to reflect on your courses.
Often faculty return each semester to teach the same courses, possibly with one or two new preps for the new academic year. It is helpful to review what was and was not successful in the course while the memories are still fresh, before the ‘dreaded’ course evaluations appear and we become momentarily jaded. As I have heard many of my colleagues say, “I don’t even read them”, “they don’t ask the right questions”, “I prepare a whiskey, and then brace myself for the reviews”. Though there is truth and validity in all of these feelings, there can be value in the course evaluation if done with the right instrument asking the right questions. Since redesigning course evaluations is a work in progress, here are some things you can do to reflect and plan for next semester.
- Plan to review course evaluations. Consider asking someone you trust for a summary or contact CELTT for an alternative approach. This may help decrease bias and promote a positive perspective.
- Take notes on changes and ideas for future courses.
- Ask students for permission to use exemplary projects in future courses.
As you reflect on your courses and plan for the future, it is important to remember a few things. Whether you are enjoying your favorite drink by the beach or sitting in your office, remind yourself that you are worthy of your own time and other people’s time, and you are constantly growing in everything you do. Remember that everyone is doing the best they can, including you. There is always tomorrow to try again.
Enjoy the break!
Cheers,
Jessica
