Glogster

Keeping up!

Week four has begun! So far so good.
Being critical of myself as I am all time I believe that my teaching is going ok but I could do better.
a) About the classes I teach!
What's working: the wiki in two classes has great results! Students are producing valuable articles. Other class has a bit more trouble. Wondering if I did something different?

What I need to do next: Create wiki scavenger assignment mandatory for all students! Here they will learn how to navigate and use the wiki through a practical assignment. This (I believe) will alleviate the various small issues that have come up. Not all students are self-starters and they should be provided with a how-to guide as the wiki workshop is not enough.

Get active assignments are not working, need to change that. I think it was a good idea but scheduling issues get in the way and I don't think it is fair to the students so I will announce that in class. In stead of 2 group activities and 3 out of class they will do 5 out of class activities of choice.

Free points is a good idea and working well. Those who like to work extra can receive free points towards their exam.

Not working: I need to uphold the absence policy more I think. I guess I tend to take the benefit of the doubt and allow for make-up classes. Perhaps a bit too lenient. Must create a solid one that is good for all my PEAC courses. This will be especially vital when I do my research!

b) About the courses I take
Research in PE is helping me jump start my research project that will begin in 4 weeks. I will investigate wikis with students in activity courses (fitness concepts) + check test performance and perceptions of students on using the wiki. I will use 4 classes this Fall and 4 perhaps next Spring. (depended on what I teach)
Oh btw I may be teaching 'team handball". If I do, I want to try to do the GPAI! Perhaps a small research project?

Adapted PE is interesting. Very practical and useful to anyone in PE. any activities I must and have been writing up on my wiki. I had to tour in a wheel chair once which was neat and I am learning about the different disabilities, which is more of a refresher but good for me!

Stats: Also refresher but this one is important! Dr. Dennis is a good teacher in that he can provide examples in a variety of ways and he is very patient. Also, we have a small class which makes it easier (FYI all my classes are small from 4 to 15 students which is nice). Tomorrow my first quiz. I don't think it is going to be easy but I seem relaxed even though I should be sleeping right now.

I am trying to sleep 6 hours a night but having class each night makes it difficult. In addition, I teach early every day so I can never get enough sleep. I think next 8 weeks will be better, only 2 early days! I must try to organize my courses better though so I can combine grad courses on 1 or 2 days in stead on 4, that would allow me to manage my time better.

As for my goal to balance my life as a grad student: that is still going strong!
During the week I focus on working hard for school (that is probably why my nights are so short). During the weekend I focus on relaxing and running. I guess it may be official that I am moving my running goal up to an earlier date. I am now planning to run my first 50K on December 5th and not in April. HA! Oh well, I will do it. I get excited thinking about it! I am so looking forward to the Traveller in October where I will be pacing a friend for at least 20 miles of the 100. Perhaps more, we'll see! That will be great training for my 50K. My longest run so far was 24 miles.

There you go, my mid course update! My mind is starting to drift to the winter at times and my cravings for snow and skiing has been popping up at various times. May teach skiing this winter. Who knows? Anyone need a private instructor! I sure need the money! (Let's NOT talk about the money concerns of international students)

Working hard and (at) letting go

I always thought grad school was about writing papers, gaining knowledge and being a loner. I asked several grad students whether they had a life besides school and often got the answer I did not want to get:"Nope, you pretty much live at school!" Before embarking on this journey I always searched for the program I could combine and balance both my personal and school activities. I don't know if it is possible. Can I go through my doctorate without having the people around me thinking I left the planet. Some people don't like to admit this but I do: I like being myself. I enjoy what I do and I love where I am heading. Right now, I get to combine learning with teaching every day and I know there will be challenges but I am having fun creating and absorbing those challenges. However, I must be able to connect with my family and friends in a meaningful way to keep connected and not disappear for 4 years. So a few things I have been working on/ will work on this year:
- Week is for study and training, weekend is for relaxation and friends.
- Get at least 6 hours of sleep each night in order to keep going.
- Have fun while teaching, make and keep it fun, create courses that are manageable, meaningful and interactive.
- Be there for my friends/family/students as much as possible.
- Set goals! (smart ones)
- Be happy, take nothing for granted and enjoy life!

Can I do this? Is it possible for a grad student to balance study, work and life? I think I can. Even though the semester has just started, I am looking at ways to life "smart". Using the wiki/Internet for my courses actually makes things easier on me and the students. Anything that I want my students to learn, or anything that I or my students need is on a central web page! So less paperwork! I like that!

Time Management is big!!! So I use the Calendar to schedule in study time, research time, office hours, work out time in order for me to free up my weekends for FUN! Don't get me wrong, I have fun during the week as well but in the weekend, I want to pursue other goals. I have recently started trail running and just completely fell in love with being outside, running trails and enjoying nature. I can honestly say that I have been on many different planets without ever leaving earth. Being alone, physically exerting myself in nature,is one of the greatest feelings of times. I always thought going for a run or bike ride was good because I could reflect upon a days worth of work, or think of the future. Running trails for hours and hours is much more than that. It goes beyond reflection. Perhaps I reflect for 30 to 60 minutes but really, most of my time is spent enjoying the moment, being grateful for what I have in life and for the ability to use all my senses together. "just being" in the moment is the best feeling in the world. Everything else seems insignificant but you, nature and movement. My first experience with ultra running/trail running was running about 1.5 hrs at Lake Sylvia a few months ago and watching the OT 50 K race.
When I ran, I felt so great and knew that at that time I can let go, I put things in perspective, I relax! When I watched the race, I found family, tranquility and comfort. A wonderful combination and one I will not likely give up.
I dislike getting up in the morning but after getting up twice at 4:30 am this weekend to go run I see the value of early rising.
My goal is to run the 50K at OT next year and complete it. I know I can. I ran 18 miles last Sat, 6 miles Sunday and 24 miles Monday so I know I can run 50K and I can't wait. I may even cheat my goal and run a 50K earlier then next April but because the OT is where I ultimately fell in love with the sport, participating in that race will top it all.
I am now training for long runs, it is different than trying to be active or run 30 min 3 times a week, this is bigger and somehow training for ultras is way more fun!
The best part of ultras is the combination of walking, running, nature and people. You can the best of everything without the competitiveness of a marathon.

Can I combine my work/study with my friends/family/trail running weekends? I want to! I will. Life is so much easier and better having started trail running so I would recommend it to anyone! Here is my plan: working hard during the week and letting go during the weekend! Life is too short to let it go by and I want to be aware of how I am living it!