Don Rags and Nightswimming
So Febbie Summer, for all intents and purposes, is over. I've turned in the last essay (The State of Hypothesis is Ptolemy's 'Almagest'), and had *da da DUNNNNN* my Don Rag. It went reasonably well; no surprises. The consensus: my flashes of interest show my talent and academic prowess--but I need to be more consistently involved in class. Tutor-by-tutor report (mostly for my records) is Burke (Math): good work, but too quiet. A capable presenter of propositions, when misses a step takes only a moment to think to herself and then plunges on. makes very thoughtful comments, but needs to be more involved in class. working below potential.
Heines (Greek): good student, bu inconsistent [the catch-word of my Don Rag]. comments on interpreting the text substantial, wide ranging; sometimes not met by rest of class in depth and understanding. paper on penelope contained very interesting points; meno paper disconnects in places but interesting ideas. She has more to offer than she's giving.
Seeger (Lab): more than satisfactory performance, but clearly not working to her full potential. Flashes of interest, but too few and far between. needs to be more consistent. papers are good but could develop beyond questions to deeper connections in some places.
Seminar (Holland reporting): attentive listener, articulates well, and very gifted as a reader [thanks, Exeter!] pays attention to entire structure of work, can see behind her and ahead; identifies key passages. Particular passion for women's issues in the Program. Annual essay was a very fine essay, and the Oral was "just a pleasure." But overall performance needs more consistency.
The word 'inconsistency' was used so often you'd think they were a bunch of internists talking about my gastro-intestinal disorder. They asked then if I had anything I'd like to say, but I just mumbled something insipid about occasional lapses in interest with the material. What really bores me, of course, are the other students. But there's no way way to say that politely, or without sounding as if I were blaming others for my performance. So, I thanked them and wandered out.
I brought up the issue the next day when I went out to lunch with Mr Holland, who was also a student here. His view is that I ought to engage in class for my own interest in the material, and that will inspire the others. It's true than when I make the effort class is more enjoyable, but like Ms Heines said, sometimes I'm just met with blank stares. Maybe the kids in Santa Fe will be more interesting. Anyway, lunch with him was great and we talked about a wide range of things.
Also noteworthy: Holland and Krauss submitted my Annual Essay with a couple of others for the January Freshman Essay Prize. When things like that happen, I always wonder how much further I could have gone had I put in my full effort. Perhaps the tutors have a point. I really liked all the tutors this term. There was a dinner party with us and all our tutors on Sunday night, and I must say that all my tutors are interesting people as well teachers. I'll have to describe them to you sometime.
Yesterday was near perfect. After lunch with Holland I slept all afternoon and went to a barbecue for dinner. Root beer and s'mores... Then Liesy, Rory, Laurent and I went to a little bridge on a little trail Laurent found in a local neighborhood. We drove the ten minutes to Rory's mother's house, and visited the nearby park. I hadn't been on a swing in the longest time... it was about 10 PM and there was no one there but us. There's a tiny beach on the water, and Liesy and I took a night swim in our underwear. The water was delicious relief from the muggy weather. We sat on the sand and talked about not much of anything, just enjoying each other's company. About 11.30 we got back and I read Euripides until I fell asleep.
Heines (Greek): good student, bu inconsistent [the catch-word of my Don Rag]. comments on interpreting the text substantial, wide ranging; sometimes not met by rest of class in depth and understanding. paper on penelope contained very interesting points; meno paper disconnects in places but interesting ideas. She has more to offer than she's giving.
Seeger (Lab): more than satisfactory performance, but clearly not working to her full potential. Flashes of interest, but too few and far between. needs to be more consistent. papers are good but could develop beyond questions to deeper connections in some places.
Seminar (Holland reporting): attentive listener, articulates well, and very gifted as a reader [thanks, Exeter!] pays attention to entire structure of work, can see behind her and ahead; identifies key passages. Particular passion for women's issues in the Program. Annual essay was a very fine essay, and the Oral was "just a pleasure." But overall performance needs more consistency.
The word 'inconsistency' was used so often you'd think they were a bunch of internists talking about my gastro-intestinal disorder. They asked then if I had anything I'd like to say, but I just mumbled something insipid about occasional lapses in interest with the material. What really bores me, of course, are the other students. But there's no way way to say that politely, or without sounding as if I were blaming others for my performance. So, I thanked them and wandered out.
I brought up the issue the next day when I went out to lunch with Mr Holland, who was also a student here. His view is that I ought to engage in class for my own interest in the material, and that will inspire the others. It's true than when I make the effort class is more enjoyable, but like Ms Heines said, sometimes I'm just met with blank stares. Maybe the kids in Santa Fe will be more interesting. Anyway, lunch with him was great and we talked about a wide range of things.
Also noteworthy: Holland and Krauss submitted my Annual Essay with a couple of others for the January Freshman Essay Prize. When things like that happen, I always wonder how much further I could have gone had I put in my full effort. Perhaps the tutors have a point. I really liked all the tutors this term. There was a dinner party with us and all our tutors on Sunday night, and I must say that all my tutors are interesting people as well teachers. I'll have to describe them to you sometime.
Yesterday was near perfect. After lunch with Holland I slept all afternoon and went to a barbecue for dinner. Root beer and s'mores... Then Liesy, Rory, Laurent and I went to a little bridge on a little trail Laurent found in a local neighborhood. We drove the ten minutes to Rory's mother's house, and visited the nearby park. I hadn't been on a swing in the longest time... it was about 10 PM and there was no one there but us. There's a tiny beach on the water, and Liesy and I took a night swim in our underwear. The water was delicious relief from the muggy weather. We sat on the sand and talked about not much of anything, just enjoying each other's company. About 11.30 we got back and I read Euripides until I fell asleep.