hejduk

No, not worth it. Wait until the battery is completely kaput.

Are the processors a i3, i5, or i7? There's quite a difference between them. Clock speed (2.5 ghz) isn't the huge factor it used to be. Processors are multicore now, so a single core processor with a faster processor speed isn't necessarily faster than a slower dual or quadcore processor. Make sense? Get a Mac on Ebay. I've bought my wife's, and my last three off of Ebay. The money I saved (~900), i put back into the laptop by maxing out RAM (8 Gb), as well as the hardrive (750 Gb). Love me some nerd talk! Forgot to add: While you may not need the powers/speed of the MBP (Macbook pro) right now, it's nice to have it and be more "future proof". The aluminum casing, as others have attested to, are significantly more durable than the crappy plastic of the MB (Macbook). And don't worry about MBPs or MBs having an internal battery; anyone with a torx set of screwdrivers can quickly undo 5-6 screws and change the battery themselves (as well as add RAM and a better hardrive).

Not to get in a political debate (even though it'll probably turn into that), but where do you stand on school's allowing guns on campus? My school is currently dealing with the issue, and frankly, it scares the living sh!t outta me. I think it's plain idiotic to allow them anywhere near campus. Thoughts?

Didn't say I approve of it! I just know I had some childish classmates on FB, and the prof responded in how they deemed appropriate. When I teach undergrad, I ban laptops and cellphones. While it may seem extreme, I "up my game" and actually have a better discussion and lecture with my classes. I think it's rediculous to expect this at the grad level, but who knows what'll happen in today's times?

This the way I'd go, but it takes so much freaking time! Studies have shown that retention is great with handwritten notes, but again, it's tough to find the time to do so. My handwriting is god-awful too, so another point in the laptop column. My only worry is that profs will ban laptops in class. Grad students tend to be much more behaved and focused than undergrads, but I've had classes where my fellow students are checking FB on laptops, and then profs ban them. Sucks!

Ouch! Guess I need to do some asking around? Suggest maybe asking former students?

Makes me feel better to know that the term papers for classes won't be journal-quality/style papers. And this quote, "Don't set yourself up as the weak student when there is no need to."; I'm definitely trying to not be the weak student. Lord knows we all go in questioning our ability, and hopefully I'll learn to not stress myself out so much.

Don't just cover what the chapter covers. Hit upon the main points, but include your expertise and personal experiences. The students are not just looking for book info, but for practical, life experiences. Excellent point! Not that you want to be Prof. ADD, but keep them guessing what'll happen next. Don't start class with lecture every time, but maybe small group activity, then lecture, or vise versa. Students attention span is quite short, so keep moving through various stages of interaction with them. Again, see my reply above about this.

I've now been a solo instructor for the last three semesters, so I know what you're going through. I'll be transitioning into a TA position this fall for my PhD program, and I'll be interested to see if I'll actual be a TA, or a lead instructor. But that's another thread! Definitely use the Teaching & Learning Center, or whatever equivalent is at your institution. Typically, they'll have someone sit in on a few classes, and then present a confidential review of your pedagogy. Really, really helpful! They usually have ongoing teaching seminars as well. How to get undergrads to take you serious, yet still enjoy class? Well, that's not an easy one. Kids today seem to think they're entitled to everything, and add to that the addiction to everything technology (Ipad, Ipod, smartphones, etc). No, I don't hate undergrads, it's just really, really tough to keep their attention. I was fortunate enough to teach classes of less than 40 students, so this might not apply... I constantly walk the class, engaging each student as I walk by. My student's know that I will call on everyone, even if they are the shy type. While I let them know that I don't necessarily expect them to have the right answer, I expect them to have some type of answer ("I don't know" isn't an acceptable answer). I had the freedom to make my own rules, so cellphones and laptops were banned in all my classes. While students hate this at first, they see within a few weeks that it really does add to the interaction within the class. My PPs were always available before class, and they were encouraged to bring to class and follow along. I would make my quizzes directly from the PP and in-class discussion. HUMOR!!!!! It can only go so far, but humor is truly something you have to have in the classroom. I think that self deprecation can be helpful sometimes, but a quick wit and some good jokes help lighten the mood, as well keep kids attention on you. Professional attire: You hit this on the head. I suffer from "baby face" syndrome as well, so I wear a full blazer, slacks and nice shoes to class. As soon as I step in, they know I'm the authority, and know to respect me. I balance this out with letting them call me by my first name. This type of flexibility is something you learn as you go, but also based on your own teaching style. Getting to know student's names is also a requirement. I use the "Attendance" app on my Iphone to take attendance. The app is quite superb, but also allows you take a picture of each student. It takes a couple weeks to get all the names down (I suck at remembering names), but being able to call on a student specifically shows the student that I'm engaged enough in the class to learn their names. Some schools will allow you to print a copy of the roll with picture of the students. If your school doesn't provide this, make sure to ask your administrator to make sure you can take pictures of each student (fun legal issues can ensue). Lastly, take a breath and realize the students are as nervous as you. You will never master teaching, and if you do think that someday, then you have lost the true desire that pushes us to be better teachers. you're not perfect, and they shouldn't expect perfection. Have fun in your classes!

Anyone have spots that are a must for day trips or just time to kill before the semester starts?

Actually, now that I think about it, I agree with the above...

Go ahead and contact them... You don't know what'll happen unless you ask!

My school uses Gmail as well, but I also have Gmail for my personal accounts. I've used an exchange account at previous school, and upon calling my new school, I was told I could get an exchange account if I got the right person involved (read: person with clout in my dept). I'm going to go for the exchange account. Everything in exchange is just so much more seamless, and I can still use Outlook to interact with my classes. I guess it's just easier for me to keep my personal and school email separate by going with Exchange, rather then getting another gmail account.

If you know enough about cars to feel comfortable buying from a private buyer, definitely suggest Craigslist or Ebay. You'll save 1000s over dealer price. Just sold my last car on Craigslist, and bought my Mini Cooper on Ebay. Saved over $6k on the Mini! Selling the wife's car shortly before we head across the country, but i'll sell her's on Craigslist as well. Make sure to do a CarFax, even if you buy from a dealer. I'm comfortable with cars, but also have a friend who is a mechanic, but I know not everyone is in the same position.

Anyone with a good, rugged folding bike? Looking for more of a mountain bike look rather than a cruising bike. Looking at Dahon, Xooter, and Citizen Bike.

We'll be driving across country, and staying in a hotel for a few nights. Anyone have advice to make sure the moving van isn't broken into while parked for the night? Is my only security just a good lock?

I passed this thought along to a faculty mentor of mine from another college, and she bluntly said to not do this. She said I'd have a target on my back, and would just give people no desire to work with me. God, I want to be so open and ask for help, but so scared that I will be targeted and just seen to be the idiot i sometimes feel like!

The dreaded cross-country move starts soon. Just packed up my wife's elementary classroom, and all that boxed stuff is now sitting in our house. With less than 60-days to go, I'm trying to get an early start and make some headway against this beast. We're taking a Penske truck, towing the Mini behind it, and leaving the other car here (one [Mini] car family!). Shall we start some tips?

I'm not taking any language courses, and it's hard to tie into my research, so dang! Both good points... Looks like we sit and hope for responses.

I always wanted to do this during undergrad and my MA, but didn't have the opportunity. Has anyone done this during their PhD? I'm guessing it's more dependent on the culture of the program, the discipline, and how far you're into your program? I'm in the social sciences, so I'm thinking it might be an opportunity? Love to hear if anyone else has done this.

Yep, sounds right. I believe it's the free offer where they place their logo on the back.

Any advice in trying to catchup? I want my summer to be relaxing, as this will be last period of sanity for the next four years, but I also feel like I should be working to get ahead! And thanks for the positive thought; really put the entire situation in perspective. Hopefully I'll find an advisor and confidant that will be willing to help me. Writing definitely comes tough to me. I have books on how to do a lit review, journal article in 12-wks, etc, but haven't cracked them open yet.

The only issue I have with Vista Print is that the company logo is on the back, which as my former graphic designer identity is coming out, says that it's tacky. But free is free, so can't complain!

As the title implies, I didn't do a thesis in my MA as I thought it was my terminal degree, and was just seeking a practical rather than academic degree. Man, am I kicking myself in the a$$ over that decision. I'm really afraid that I"ll start my PhD program, but be completely lost on completing research papers. While I've done "term papers", I've never really done a lit review and then conducted research, and then written-up the paper. I've done some content analyses, and conducted surveys and other qual work. Should I freak out about this? I know that I'm constantly going to fill "not good enough" during the tenure of my PhD studies, but I really don't want to go in being so behind. I've been adjuncting now for three semesters, and honestly have taken to it quite nicely. I have colleagues who didn't do a thesis in their MA, got their PhD, and said they ended up being fine. Maybe I'm just worrying about nothing...

Agreed to all the nots on the CHE forums. Great resource!