(no subject)
I wonder if there will ever come a point where I associate the "new year" with the calendar year, rather than the new school year. If my plans all work out, the answer is when I retire, but still.
This summer has been an amazing experience as an introduction to "here is what you'll be doing for the rest of your life." The first half of the summer was spent doing research at Todai, the second half teaching at the University. I loved all of it. I was actually kind of surprised at how much I enjoyed the teaching part; having total control of a classroom from the syllabus to every aspect of the lesson plan is a fun and challenging experience. After I put in the grades on Friday, I recieved my evaluations from students, and they seemd to think I did a good job too. (Only complaint was in regards to the readings being boring sometimes, but the secretary told me that every single instructor gets that on every evaluation. Tough luck kids.) The whole summer has reminded me that yes, this is what I really want to do with my life, even though I am going to be poor and likely not to find a tenure-track job for a very very very long time. (I'm very realistic about the academic job market, but I'm going to try anyway!)
With the new school year coming, I think it's time for some "new year" resolutions. I only have one more year in Edmonton, and I'm going to make it count!
Get in to a PhD program: It's application time again. (sarcastic woo) Only applying to three places this time; two in California and one in Michigan. I'll be starting applications soon, and I'm really not looking forward to it.
Try not to flail about my thesis: 80-150 page thesis stands between me and graduation. I have a ton of research from Todai that I still need to read through, but at least at this point I think I have all the Japanese secondary sources I'll need. I just need to buckle down and start getting through it.
Keep active: Summer away=no gym. I need to get back to that.
Hang out with friends and stay out of my room!: It is way too easy to fall into the habit of staying inside and watching tv on my computer. I have a ton of friends here who I only have another year to hang with. Need to make that time count!
Study for the JLPT: This may go by the wayside once thesis gets into motion, but I really would like to take JLPT N1 this December. Gotta study more kanji.
Explore areas around Edmonton: Unlike while I was at Bryn Mawr, I actually get off campus quite a bit. But there are a lot of neat places close to Edmonton that I should visit while I still have a chance. Who knows if I will ever live out this way again!
Keep calm and carry on: Gonna try to keep stress to a minimum. Only a year to go here, I can make it!
This summer has been an amazing experience as an introduction to "here is what you'll be doing for the rest of your life." The first half of the summer was spent doing research at Todai, the second half teaching at the University. I loved all of it. I was actually kind of surprised at how much I enjoyed the teaching part; having total control of a classroom from the syllabus to every aspect of the lesson plan is a fun and challenging experience. After I put in the grades on Friday, I recieved my evaluations from students, and they seemd to think I did a good job too. (Only complaint was in regards to the readings being boring sometimes, but the secretary told me that every single instructor gets that on every evaluation. Tough luck kids.) The whole summer has reminded me that yes, this is what I really want to do with my life, even though I am going to be poor and likely not to find a tenure-track job for a very very very long time. (I'm very realistic about the academic job market, but I'm going to try anyway!)
With the new school year coming, I think it's time for some "new year" resolutions. I only have one more year in Edmonton, and I'm going to make it count!
Get in to a PhD program: It's application time again. (sarcastic woo) Only applying to three places this time; two in California and one in Michigan. I'll be starting applications soon, and I'm really not looking forward to it.
Try not to flail about my thesis: 80-150 page thesis stands between me and graduation. I have a ton of research from Todai that I still need to read through, but at least at this point I think I have all the Japanese secondary sources I'll need. I just need to buckle down and start getting through it.
Keep active: Summer away=no gym. I need to get back to that.
Hang out with friends and stay out of my room!: It is way too easy to fall into the habit of staying inside and watching tv on my computer. I have a ton of friends here who I only have another year to hang with. Need to make that time count!
Study for the JLPT: This may go by the wayside once thesis gets into motion, but I really would like to take JLPT N1 this December. Gotta study more kanji.
Explore areas around Edmonton: Unlike while I was at Bryn Mawr, I actually get off campus quite a bit. But there are a lot of neat places close to Edmonton that I should visit while I still have a chance. Who knows if I will ever live out this way again!
Keep calm and carry on: Gonna try to keep stress to a minimum. Only a year to go here, I can make it!