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Ding Dong, The Semester is (Almost) Dead
When I was a meeting planner (many moons ago), I was affected by a phenomenon I call “post meeting blues.” After much anticipation leading up to the meeting and the chaos of the on-site experience...
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New Years Resolutions of a Teacher…and More
It’s almost New Year’s Eve here and so of course I’m thinking about my new year’s resolutions. And all the resolutions that came before and were not achieved (or were – but mostly not). Which makes...
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The Least Stressful Job of 2013…University Professor. What?!
Forbes magazine has released its annual ranking of most and least stressful jobs of 2013. And the #1 least stressful job is…(drum roll, please)…being a university professor. Which leaves me...
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First Week of Classes…Do They Remember?
Classes officially start at my university on Wednesday. I am guessing, however, that my students aren’t even thinking about that, despite it being two days away. Why? (1) Because it’s still two days...
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They’re Back! They’re Back! Students, That is.
Squeeeee! They’re back. The students are back. Walking through the rain (without umbrellas) in their winter uniforms: exercise pants and a ginormous sorority/fraternity sweatshirt for the girls,...
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Students Make Me Sick!
I managed to avoid the worst of flu season in December, despite having a small child in daycare where “personal space” has no meaning. While those around me were falling, I was pleased to have no...
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I’d Like to Thank the Academy…
When I do something stupid in my personal or professional life, I usually joke about it by saying, “Well, I guess I’m not going to be Mother/Wife/Professor/Employee of the Year this year.” Only this...
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A Little Gratitude Goes a Long Way
I just got back from (brrrr…) Minneapolis where I facilitated three educational programs at the Religious Conference Managers Association (RCMA) Annual Conference, Emerge 2013. I wasn’t sure what to...
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Fear of Change–College to the Real World
It’s that time of year here at the university when students are (a) excited about getting close to graduating, (b) dreading/fearing graduation or (c) both. What I can’t quite figure out is why anyone...
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The Mad Crushes I Have and How They Are Changing My Life
It’s time I just confess to some mad crushes I have…on people I’ve never met. But I hang on their every word. And they don’t even know it. But maybe they will someday. And maybe you’ll crush on...
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8 Hours a Day, 9-5? I Think Not.
My office at 9am. Lonely, empty, and waiting for me to get in the right frame of mind. [Note @gapingvoid framed print in corner. Love him...er, it. Check him out on web or Twitter.]I’m not a morning...
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Should You Go to Graduate School? Probably Not.
Every few months I get an e-mail from a former (or current) student and the uncomfortable exchange goes like this: Student: Dear Dr. Tyra, Would you be willing to write me a recommendation letter for...
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What Your Professors Haven’t Told You (But Should)
Part of the joy of irreverence–and being a professor–is being able to tell college students what they need to know. And part of what they need to know is that professors don’t know it all. (collective...
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A Bibliography for Job Hoppers Like Me
I’ve had a lot of jobs in my life. A LOT. And I recently gave notice at my current J-O-B (a year’s notice – academia is kind of weird). I love my J-O-B, but I love flexibility, freedom, variety, and...
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Finding Meaningful Work…or Finding Meaning in Your Work?
I had an “aha” moment recently. I was pondering why I get “itchy” every three years or so and change jobs (and usually, cities). (To see some of the jobs I’ve held, see the post “A Bibliography for...
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Treat Every Time Like the First Time–for Everything
This was the first week of the semester at the university I teach at. I taught pretty much the same courses I’ve taught every semester for the three years I’ve been here. Shoot, they were basically...
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What’s the Big Hurry?
This post is going to seem contrary to my usual “Carpe everything!” and my personal motto “Now is better than later.” But it’s been on my mind for a while. What’s the big, honking hurry everyone...
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Real Issues, Bogus Motives
A drama has been unfolding at The University of Alabama over the last couple of days. Actually, I’m sure it has been unfolding longer than that, but it’s become public only recently. The issue?...
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Today I am Grateful…
I’m selfish. And self-centered. And I have (as Meredith Grey on Grey’s Anatomy would say) a dark and twisty side that sometimes takes over. And boy, do I complain. I complain at work. I complain at...
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To Endings…and New Beginnings
This weekend I attended a college graduation. It wasn’t my graduation. And it wasn’t my first graduation. As a professor (and serial student myself), I have attended a few graduations. What made...
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