The 10th day of the semester gives the magic number: how many students we actually have registered. But, half way through this second week, I'd say we have a lot. The classrooms look full, with laptops half hiding faces, table tops covered with paper, and the faint hint of body heat seeping in to the hallways.
By the second class (for those of us doing once a week seminar class), we have a sense of the students siting around the table. With years of experience, we can make educated guesses about who has the most to learn, who will contribute, who we need to watch or manage. It's our work. Naturally, there can be surprises, hopefully good ones.
I'm starting the semester on a relative calm. The major projects from the summer are finished: the consultancy with the Chilean Ministry of Health, the class in Chile, the summer conferences, the manuscript revisions, and fall semester course preparation. And, the big anxiety generator has shifted to simply being work ~ the AHRQ conference has people registered. Whew!
I know that this calm streak will not last long, so I'm going to enjoy it, spread some relaxation, and give support to my stressed out colleagues.
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