The groundhog said, "Ten more weeks of winter semester!"

I know I’ve complained about parking before, but this semester parking is. the. worst. My chat with a parking officer confirmed this: they’re short-staffed, new hires are still being trained, and students are taking our spots—16 precious JKB spots that very morning! Hopefully, one day we’ll no longer have to park in telestial and outer-darkness parking lots. I guess there’s always spring and summer semester.

To respond or not to respond to an email at midnight on a Saturday

Teaching can be an all-consuming job. We’re always thinking about teaching, reaching for our phones or notebooks to jot down new ideas; rehearsing our St. Crispin Day speech to recite two days before a big paper is due, “MLA format is like paying tithing: you either do it or you don’t!”; wishing we could go back and say, “That’s an interesting idea. Could you tell me more about it?” instead of “What?!”

So why do we add to our load by answering student emails after usual working hours?

This year—albeit it’s only February—my resolve to answer student emails only M-F sometime between 9-5 pm is going quite well. What’s helped me do this is

• I listed my email days and hours in my syllabus. I also added that I only check my email twice a day (yes, I lied—but sometimes it’s the truth!).

• I stopped checking my email after dinner. Let’s be honest: for the most part, there’s nothing our students email us about that can’t be helped in the morning. But why is it that when we read emails in bed we feel compelled to respond immediately? No more! I’ve got good books to read, thank you!

• I stopped answering student emails using my phone. Not only do I craft better emails when using my laptop (thank you, Grammarly!), but I also respond more thoughtfully because I’ve had time to think before I sit down at my desk to write back.

Now will any students will remark on their teacher evaluation that I was slow to respond to emails? I’ll let you know.

Take five and share your 2022 successes—please!

Please, please, please take 2-3 minutes and share a couple of your teaching victories, big or small, on our “Let’s Celebrate Our Gains” Google doc. (Yes, I’m still begging!) Think of this doc as a way of celebrating AND helping each other as we create a directory of whom we can ask for help when we’re using Joseph William’s Style or returning to teaching after a long break.

Nothing says “I love you” like a solid retirement plan

This week I realized that at age 45 I have just 20 years to toil before I retire. Of course, that’s if everything goes well.

To help you plan for retirement, consider taking this seven-week course: “Planning for a Secure Retirement.” It’s free and in-person if you have DMBA insurance, and $149 and online if you don’t (BOOOOO! And sorry!). Sign up before the first class on February 15!

Stuff for your calendar

This list of stuff includes stuff from the university, the English department, and me, the Adjunct-in-Chief. You’re invited to it all! Please come when you can!

FEBRUARY

• February 16: Writing across the Curriculum presents, "ChatGPT and the Near Future of Writing Instruction” @ 12 pm in the Hinckley Center. RSVP ASAP to join participate in the discussion over lunch.

• February 23: Spring or summer semester teaching requests are due by noon!

• February 23: Best Lesson Plans @ 11 am in B106 JFSB. Good ideas beget more good ideas—come!

MARCH

• March 2-3: BYU English Symposium. Watch your email for the symposium’s schedule!

• March 10: Tea @ 2 pm in 4186 JFSB. Topic TBA! If you have a suggestion, please email me today!

• March: The Adjunct Book Club—Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. If you signed up, watch your email!

• March: A Scheduling Something. Presentation? Meeting? Email? I’m not sure anymore. Stay tuned!

APRIL

• April 6: How to Respond to Students’ Mental Health Crises @ 11 am in 4186 JFSB with Jon Cox, a psychologist at BYU’s CAPS (and Katie’s husband). Sure the semester’s almost over, but if we know one thing, it’s this: student crises will continue to happen. Come learn how to respond to students in a way that’s helpful for both you and your students!

• April 14: Tea at 2 pm in 4186 JFSB. Teaching Triumphs! Cha-cha-cha! End the semester on a good note by celebrating: What went well this semester? What pleasantly surprised you? What helped you enjoy teaching?

• April: The Adjunct End-of-the-Year Party! We’re about to cross the finish line of the academic year—let’s celebrate!