I don’t have enough wherewithal to give you an actual post. So, I’ve decided to just give you snippets of things I’m thinking about.
- I’m finally feeling better! I no longer snot all over the lab. CurrentLabMate (formerly known as FormerRoommate, unfortunately I’m just not that creative today) is appreciative that I’ve stopped doing that. I’m slightly behind in lab, as I took people’s advice and went home early on Thursday and Friday. Also, I didn’t work (much) this past weekend. That last bit is probably why I feel so much better now.
- Undergrads today just have no idea how to get information (yes, I know. I, also, yell at kids to get off my lawn). I’m TAing UndergradBiochem (I use the term TA loosely. Mostly I just hold office hours and proctor exams) and I have had several emails asking me about how Gibb’s Free Energy and Allosteric Inhibitors work. Seriously people, look it up in your textbook. I don’t have some magical new answer for you. Trust me, Gibb’s hasn’t changed since I was in your shoes and there’s always the same equation. Even if you don’t own the textbook (sigh, it’s a book, it’s required, and you’ll need it in med school), there’s always Google.
- Another random complaint about the undergrads. Please don’t ask, “Is this going to be on the exam?” Because (1) it’s annoying and (2) I don’t write the exam. I’ve told you this multiple times. The person to ask would be the actual professor.
- I’ve learned to multi-task(ish). Previously, I’ve had this experiment that I’d like to do, but it takes many hours over many days. My first thought was to put it off until I could block out a period of time. It dawned on me (recently) that it’d make much more sense to just cram it into my days and deal. That’s what I’ve been doing for the past month and, wonders of wonders, I’ve made really good progress. It’s not done, but I’ve gotten through some of the trickier parts. So, I’m fairly pleased about that.
- Dr. Man and I have actually started scheduling time to spend together. I know, it’s really lame. And I feel very lame. But between his residency and my lab work, it was getting to the point to where we only saw each other when we were burnt out husks of people. So, now we’ve got one night a week where we both leave at a decent time, go home, have dinner, talk, and watch a movie. So far, it’s gone pretty well. Eventually, we may not even have to schedule time to be together. Wouldn’t that be nice?
From bottom up (yes I have to comment on it all today):
YAY on time together! It’s hard, so hard, when there are two people trying to make a relationship work while still maintaining strenuous career goals. I joke and tell people the only time I see hubs is when I go to sleep and 5 minutes after I wake up and he’s out the door.
Multi-tasking rules.
I am a TA and an undergrad (I know…. I know, no time for this now) and I find it annoying in class AND the ones I TA. Obnoxious. There is nothing you can do. Apparently students have asked those questions since the beginning of time according to various professors I have spoken to…
Snot all over the lab is no fun. Lab is more exciting when you can smell.
I have never heard snot as a verb before, but I like it!
Glad you’re feeling better!
I so get you on the TAing. I am TMing (basically I mark the exams and assignments) and I am so annoyed at (1) how poorly the answers are written (2) how much unnecessary additional information they put in hoping the answer is in there. If I can’t find the answer easily, sorry but you dont’ get the marks.
Mimi: Time is really hard to come by. It was getting to the same point with us (the only seeing Dr. Man before and immediately following sleep). And, I agree, Lab is not only more exciting, but safer, when you can smell.
Cath: Thanks š I do tend to verbify.
Scientist Mother: The extra information always surprises me. Most profs here put the word “brief” in some form in the question (as in, “Be brief” or “Briefly Describe”). I had a prof that would actually take off points if the student put wrong additional information!
I suggest you always schedule time together. Even though my husband and I see each other a lot it isn’t always quality time. Life can get too routine so it’s good to have a “date night” so to speak.
it’s funny, i was just thinking about grading – i teach labs and do find myself taking off points for extra incorrect information or
‘bonus’ explanations that are also very wrong. i can’t think of any good examples, but i’ve had students with otherwise correct calculations, etc., get worse grades than their peers who made a few mistakes but didn’t ignore my appeal to brevity.
i’m not sure i’ll ever understand why they seem to think that they don’t have to pay attention to/read the lab manual, though …
Jennie: That really is true. It just feels so cliche š
physicienne: Hi! I’ll never understand why people chose not to pay attention to the information provided (lab manuals, textbooks, etc.). Also, why don’t they understand the word ‘brief’? It’s not complicated and it requires a bunch less effort (as opposed to the longwinded answer)!
I agree with Jennie: even though Hubby and I spend a lot of time together, we have to make a conscious effort to put the laptops down and spend some us time that doesn’t involve watching the debates/news/stock market.
Science Girl: The part about putting the laptops down made me smile. It’s very true. When we are together, many times we spend it in the same room, but not necessarily interacting with each other.