(no subject)
I forgot about LJ until I saw a link to it somewhere else. I started this one as a less-public journal that fewer people - at least, fewer people that I know - would read. But I seem to have neglected it, as well as my other blog (Sherpa with a Purse).
So...I'm a TA for Experimental Psych. I grade papers and am constantly meeting with students, some of whom have fabulous ideas for independent research projects and are incredibly organized, and others who have no clue what they're even remotely interested in. I guess that much variability is to be expected, but I feel like I'm failing somehow because I can't inspire them to get interested in something, or give them enough help turning their vague ideas into experiments.
I'm torn about wanting to teach this class again next semester. I think I will, if I'm offered the position, because I really, really need the money. I can't afford to work retail full-time, I wouldn't be able to pay my bills. (Seriously - can anyone afford to live off of a retail salary? Can it even be called a salary?) I have doubts, though, because this class is incredibly stressful and time-consuming. It never ends, I'm constantly doing something for the class. It's like I'm a student, only worse, because I'm in charge - and if I fuck up, then I'm hurting a bunch of people, not just myself.
I'm attempting to apply to grad school now. According to my profs, I need to retake the GRE - my score is only 20 pts lower than it needs to be to be considered...but at schools with 800 applicants and 5 spots open, they have to have cut-offs. I hate how much of a focus is put on the numbers rather than the actual content of your work and your potential. So I got a D in algebra 5 years ago. Why should that keep me out of grad school? I really need to be working on writing my essay and getting set on which schools I'm actually going to apply to. I have a list of about 15 that I need to pare down. Rutgers or Harvard would be nice...who knows where I'll actually get in. One month from now it will all be in - apps are due Dec. 15th.
Time to grade...
So...I'm a TA for Experimental Psych. I grade papers and am constantly meeting with students, some of whom have fabulous ideas for independent research projects and are incredibly organized, and others who have no clue what they're even remotely interested in. I guess that much variability is to be expected, but I feel like I'm failing somehow because I can't inspire them to get interested in something, or give them enough help turning their vague ideas into experiments.
I'm torn about wanting to teach this class again next semester. I think I will, if I'm offered the position, because I really, really need the money. I can't afford to work retail full-time, I wouldn't be able to pay my bills. (Seriously - can anyone afford to live off of a retail salary? Can it even be called a salary?) I have doubts, though, because this class is incredibly stressful and time-consuming. It never ends, I'm constantly doing something for the class. It's like I'm a student, only worse, because I'm in charge - and if I fuck up, then I'm hurting a bunch of people, not just myself.
I'm attempting to apply to grad school now. According to my profs, I need to retake the GRE - my score is only 20 pts lower than it needs to be to be considered...but at schools with 800 applicants and 5 spots open, they have to have cut-offs. I hate how much of a focus is put on the numbers rather than the actual content of your work and your potential. So I got a D in algebra 5 years ago. Why should that keep me out of grad school? I really need to be working on writing my essay and getting set on which schools I'm actually going to apply to. I have a list of about 15 that I need to pare down. Rutgers or Harvard would be nice...who knows where I'll actually get in. One month from now it will all be in - apps are due Dec. 15th.
Time to grade...