Perhaps many people who have spent their lives on an academic schedule would agree that the advent of September and Labor Day weekend feels like New Year’s Eve. We all have brand new things: new clothes and shoes, clean notebooks, fresh pens and pencils, and hope in the potential of another school year. I’m not sure about anyone else, but I even make some ‘resolutions’ for the new year. I always promise that my syllabuses will be organized and clear, my papers will be graded on time, and my sarcasm will not reach full force until at least the end of October, and will be directed only to the toughest students who can take it. Continue reading →