puppy1785

I'm also in chemistry. I TA 4 lab sessions, each is 3 hours long + setup time + extra help, labs are every two weeks rotation. So each week I spend about ~9-10 hours a week for teaching (sometimes 11-12 hours if things get messier). Then I had about 6 hours of classes I had to take, (~6 hours a week). All the other time, there's other admin stuff like seminars, group meetings and god knows what else can happen. So my typical week and to answer your question on how my time is spent research vs teaching: My first year: ~33% teaching only ~33% classes to take/study/assignments ~10% meetings/group meetings/admin ~20% my own research ~4% "other" My second year (currently): ~25% teaching ~10% meetings ~50% research ~15% unaccounted "other" (if nothing happens, this becomes research too). So don't expect a lot of research in your first year. Instructors are supposed to be a pain because they have so much paperwork to go through or a complaint from a student. Should talk that over with your head TA to get it straightened out.

Quoting Macchiato: On the other hand, as the TA, it is YOUR job to remain in control of the class. That statement is really really important. I've TA-ed for about 2 years now and that statement is absolute. If you as a TA show weakness and lose control over a few students, you will get stepped on by them. In my lab, if they show up more than 20 minutes late, I refuse their entry and I am totally allowed to do that; 1 hour late is way way absolutely too long. They might have scheduling problems and if they do, should be dealt with the admin. You might hate refusing their entry and you may get negative reviews/complaints about it from students but you will at the very least be doing your job.