Learn vs. Teach

I haven't quite settled into my new schedule yet and I'm now working two jobs, as I'm continuing on at the quilt shop a few days a month (it's nice to have a fun escape where I know what I'm doing!).  The end result is limited blogging time this last couple of weeks.  I'm hopeful things will settle into a new rhythm in the next couple of weeks--but that's likely short lived as the quarter system doesn't allow for anything to settle for an extended period!

The first week with students has come and gone, along with many other firsts.  Problem solving copy machines & classroom hardware, teaching my first class, the first clinical lab session--and let's face it:  the first week of steady work for many months!  I'm out of sync with that phenomenon, but it's coming back.  8-)
I'm comfortably into my office space (which is truly a delightful setting), have my office hours established, and am back into the electronic routine of a new computer system.  I've been oriented to the library system, have a photo ID, and have only forgotten to check my campus mailbox once!

I've fallen into bed early several nights--welcoming the rest, as my brain feels exhausted by the end of each day!  I'm hoping that, too, calms down.  It's not a difficult schedule--just so many 'firsts'!  I've wondered many times if that's how all of the students feel, too, as I've met them & started this journey with them.  They've put so much energy into just getting to this point--getting all of the pre-req's completed & being accepted to the program.  As I learn some of their stories, I'm feeling fortunate with the limited amount of 'firsts' I'm contending with!  Seventy new faces & generally an impressive group.  Very diverse in age & life experience--but they've all had so much life experience already!  Many international students, about a third are male (that's a good thing for the future of nursing!), and all with a strong desire to succeed.  Fifty of them will be finished by the end of next summer if they stay the course.  The other twenty will take twice that long as they're going part time (evenings & every other weekend).  There's a brief 'pause' before the other program starts in about four weeks with forty additional students--also a part time and full time mix.

So--for now--I'm just taking each day & week as it comes, and celebrating the little accomplishments along the path (and feeling pretty humble!)  I'm learning a lot & appreciate the challenges.
I'll keep you posted...