Before You Email Your Professor: Redux 2013

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Dr. Janni Aragon | 2 Comments

This was my most popular post in 2012 with more than 600 views. Of all my posts, I didn’t expect that this was the one, but I don’t imagine that the metrics at Word Press are wrong! I have taken the liberty of revising some of this.

I haven’t taken a Netiquette 101 course recently, so I think it’s time to give some tips about sending emails to your instructors. Of course, I assume that my colleagues send concise, well-written, and respectful emails to students. Frankly, that is a given. (Fingers crossed)

1. Always assume that you should be more formal. Each department will vary; however, going with formal is easier than the reverse and then hearing: I expect to be referred to as…

2. Address the person in the email with a hello or even a “dear.” Avoid, “hey. And, use your full name, as your instructor might have many students who share your first name.

Sample~

Dear Instructor: I am emailing to find out information about your Fall class. Do you suggest any prerequisites for the class? I’d also like to talk with you about a paper topic that I have. Do you have any time to meet this Summer?

Thank you,

Student X

Avoid:

Hey, I’m going to enroll in you class. Should I be worried about your feminist bias?

Smitty

3. Never send an email that is incoherent. This is email and not a text to your best-friend. Type out all words, use punctuation, and proper spelling. What I mean is that even if you’re using your smart phone, be smart and use real words and avoid abbreviations. You could even wait to compose the email on your tablet or laptop!

4. Never send an email when you are mad. This goes for all emails. Send yourself the email and then wait a few hours or overnight, and then send the email that you won’t later regret. When you send an angry email, it is very hard to do un-do. I know that I won’t respond and I’ll call a meeting with you to chat about your problematic email.

5. Be honest. Understand that your instructor might say that this conversation needs to take place face to face. Some conversations really need that human interaction. This really goes for talking about an assignment, reviewing a draft, talking about grad school, and other important conversations.

6. Do not be offended if the instructor corrects your use of their first name or some policy. Most of us will be kind and say–we have a 24 hour policy with emails after work is handed back and it’s in the syllabus or I expect students to call me Prof. Schmitdkins. (Apologies to my colleague who I used for part of this last name!)

7. Read the syllabus before sending the email. Perhaps the syll answers your question or notes that you should take the time to write a coherent email noting who you are and why you are emailing. And, some of my friends won’t even respond to an email if the question is answered in the syllabus. Avoid saying something like, “I don’t have time to read the syllabus, but was wondering…” Read the syllabus and if your question is not answered, then send the email.

Overall, treat email with the same integrity that you would treat an office hour visit. And, yes, I do get lots of emails that start off with “hey” and have been asked about my feminist bias…

The above advice is good for all of us–in and outside of academia.

Happy New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Dr. Janni Aragon | 3 Comments

Happy New Year! I hope that 2013 bring you joy, happiness, and good health. What else do I hope for with this New Year. Sure, I can say world peace, a cure for Cancer and AIDS, and for the government to really take action with the Fiscal Cliff/Idle No More Movement. And, I truly do wish for all of the above, but this post will instead focus on what I hope for my students in this new year.

The 2012-13 school year is essentially halfway through and I hope that first year students learned how important time-management was during their September term. I also hope that all students realized that office hours are priceless. You might have to queue up and wait for five or fifteen minutes–but those meetings with your Teaching Assistant or Professor really is worth the wait. I have never heard a student tell me that it was a waste of time to see me or one of my Teaching Assistants. In fact, I get follow up emails, note cards, or tweets thanking me for suggesting that we meet or that they met with their Teaching Assistant. So, dear student, please take advantage of our availability!

I also send the gift of reading the syllabus to students. This means highlighting due dates and the instructions for assignments. This is a rich You Tube video about Reading the Syllabus. This made me laugh! Oh, wow. How many of us have had one of these moments?! There is also a Facebook page about Reading the Syllabus. In all seriousness, the syllabus is the contract between the professor and the student. We expect students to read and review the syllabus.

Get into the library. Attend a workshop about research or citation. Learn how to use the databases and get outside of your Wikipedia or Google comfort zones. Learn other better ways to conduct research. The vast majority of you are not yet skilled at researching and could use a workshop or two to hone these skills. The A students are the ones who have taken the time to use databases and dig deeper. Do not be embarrassed -go speak to the Reference Librarians and your academic mind will be blown.

My last wish for 2013 is that students stay healthy and this includes their physical well-being and mental health. I feel terrible when a student gets hit with a serious illness that turns their term upside down. I also feel for the student who is dealing with mental health issues and is having a really difficult time. I am not a medical doctor and I certainly am not a mental health professional, so all I can do is be supportive and suggest the health center or the counseling center. Remember, when you’re having a tough time, don’t be embarrassed -contact your professor. We are here to help and it’s much better if we are in the loop.

Happy New Year!

Who Was I Kidding?

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Dr. Janni Aragon | Leave a comment

My last post was one after a family crisis and I really thought that I was back in the saddle. Ha! I am still catching up and feel like the proverbial hamster doing her run. Things are getting better, but I am behind. Behind with my research, emails, and other work-related things. But, I will say this, after these last two months, I am so happy for my good health and that of all my family members.

What did I learn during these last two months? Well, I learned that I had two types of friends: those who really wanted to help during my family crisis and those who only wanted to know what was happening. You can guess which ones I now prefer. I also found out who I could count on and it hit me the other day that many of the most dependable, selfless people I know right now are people who I first “met” on Twitter. These people have become some of my closest friends in real life and I have to give a deep thank you to Twitter for connecting us. I also know that others are colleagues from work, who have become close friends. And,I consider myself lucky in this respect.

It also became apparent to me that some students lack any semblance of compassion and were absolutely heartless in their expectations and demands–even though they knew that I had a family member in the hospital for two weeks. I was frustrated and saddened to have met with such harsh expectations and comments. But, I have to remember that some students really do not care about anything else but their assignments and their lives. I learned a good lesson with this–that some students do not want their professors to be human. And, well, I might have an invisible S for Superwoman on my chest, but this term that pesky Kryptonite brought me down to Earth. Hopefully next term I can do the usual 4-10 day grading turn around, but it didn’t happen this November or December!

I am back in the saddle, but not cinched in or seated properly! That’s life, right?

Great Infographic About the Gender Wage Gap

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Dr. Janni Aragon | 3 Comments

The power of Social Media occasionally amazes me. I’ve been lucky enough to meet some new people IRL and others just via the Interwebs. I have to share this great Infographic that visually details what the Gender Wage Gap means. It’s a great conversation starter and it’s by Jessica Wallace.

The most telling parts for me:

1. It doesn’t matter if you have a high school education or doctoral degrees, women are still going to get paid less than men.

2. When the numbers are disaggregated for race, we still see a marked gap between the genders.

3. CEOs are primarily men.

4. It doesn’t matter that 50+ of the population across the country is women or that women outnumber men at universities–we still see a gender wage gap.

What does this mean? Well, we can encourage girls and young women to go into the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. And, I do think that this is important; however, I also know that this encouragement in school and learning begins much earlier. I’d like to thank Jessica for sharing her infographic with me.

Back in the Saddle: Typing

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Dr. Janni Aragon | 2 Comments

I have had an extraordinary month of November. In the interest of protecting privacy (what little we all have, right?), I will say that I had a family member in the hospital for almost two weeks and things that were less important had to give. I stopped reading my emails immediately. Stopped blogging, responding to emails quickly and have to not feel a sense of dread as I attempt to catch up.

The thing that I will say is that I really missed blogging during these past few weeks. I had earmarked and started posts about the Presidential election. I still have them set as drafts, but now it feels like old news. I would like to blog about my family situation, but won’t to protect privacy. I will say this: thank you to my family and friends for providing support during a very stressful period. I have been repeatedly awash with such kindness. This also includes my colleagues and students. Many of my students sent emails that coincided with an allergic reaction of sorts, as I got all misty. I’m smiling.

The term is almost complete and I have lots to catch up on. I’m back in the saddle, again. I’m reading, er marking! And, yes, I’m wearing a cape–don’t all academics?!

Revisiting Positive Thinking

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Dr. Janni Aragon | Leave a comment

Students are really stressed out this time of year. Frankly, so are faculty. November means tons of the usual deadlines, meetings, and a partial “reading break.” What a misnomer that is! Given my profession as a college professor, I am surrounded my young people, by students. And, this year if I could wish them anything it would be more positive thinking. I know that some will scoff and say, “They are so self-indulgent and have a sense of self-entitlement.” Well, that really is a small percentage in my opinion. There is a larger contingent who are really trying to figure things out—who they are in the world and what they want to do.

My wish to students is for more positive thinking. Remember that there are people who believe in you and your success. This does not mean that I am going to give you A’s. No, I do not give grades, students earn them. If you get a grade you do not like, this does not mean that I do not like you or that somehow the rubric was unfair. Instead, take a step back, inhale and exhale and own your performance. Then, think about how much research, time, and writing you put into the assignment. Go into your classes and assignments with a positive attitude. The attitude and interest in your classes can carry you a long way.

Likewise, you really should sleep on the comments and mark and avoid firing off an email. If you have concerns or questions about the assignment, you really should confer with your instructor during office hours or make an appointment. I’ve had many apologies from students face to face–once I’ve commented on an inappropriate email that was sent my way. I do not engage these emails. My usual response is something like this: This email is problematic and this conversation must take place face to face and not via email. My advice to everyone: never send an email when you’re angry, as you’ll usually regret it.

Back to positive thinking and visualizing your success. As I have previously said much of what I do is validate students. Yes, you are on the right track. Yes, that paper topic sounds promising. However, you ultimately have to do the work. Your first step is being honest and optimistic. The second step is planning. Planning your thinking, studying, and writing time. Stop reading this post and get back to work!

Fri Fun Facts: Check In

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Dr. Janni Aragon | Leave a comment

Today’s Friday Fun Facts is dedicated to the check in. Periodically I have to take my car in to get its oil change and Canadian Tire will check the air pressure in my tires, as well as a host of other things. I am lucky to have a good dental plan and get my teeth cleaned twice per year. What about the check in at work? Some employers have annual reviews, and my employer follows this procedure and some additional ones for the regular faculty.

But, I’m not so concerned with that right now. I’m thinking about the periodic check in that students should do with their schedules and classes. What does this include?

1. Going to class or at least having a plan for attending class. Now, you might work well with attending 75% of the lectures. I’d prefer to see students attend 80%, but hey, I’m on the other end of the equation.

2. Planning your time during the hectic post mid-term craziness. From here on out, my students are bombarded with deadline after deadline and then the final exam schedule. Free time is really an oxymoron, as they should have their time scheduled well in advance for paper writing, blog writing, and exam prep. I suggest you take out your phone or device and seriously plan out a realistic schematic of what you can do between now and December 20th.

3. This is basic–eat right, sleep right, and get some exercise in so that you can function. I’ve said it before–get a flu shot or step up the various routines to stay healthy. One of the best defense is hand washing. Yes, I said it and I’ve said this before on my blog.

4. Check in with your Teaching Assistant(s) and Professors! I wish I could say that I get lonely during my office hours, but I don’t. I have a bench out side my office and during my office hours the bench is kept warm. I have to say that I truly appreciate that my office hours are busy. This means that students are checking in with me to chat about assignments, ask for advice, chat about their schedules, help them in other ways, and overall serve as a mentor or coach to them.

5. Related to the above point–check in with the advising team in your department and Academic Advising.

6. This is really basic, but I have to repeat it: read your syllabus. Please read your syllabi! And, if you haven’t read it, please don’t ever say that to your Teaching Assistant or Professor. We really don’t like hearing that.

Enough! Check in–don’t check out!

My Breast Thermography Scan

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Dr. Janni Aragon | 5 Comments

I am revisiting this post, as once again it is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I happily participate in the Race for the Cure and last week I had my hair cut as part of the fundraising Cut-a-thon at On the Fringe. Remember, it’s important to take care of your girls year round! This post is slated on the second to last day of the month because I want to remind you that you need to think about breast health all of the time.

I am blogging about breast health! To this end, this post is about my Breast Thermography scan at Valentus Clinic in Victoria, BC. In the spirit of disclosure, I did not pay for the scan, but was contacted to get a scan to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness month and to blog about my experience. And as it so happens, I can also compare the Thermography scan to the mammogram that I had two days prior. Note to others—try to space out the mammogram and Thermography scan about a week apart so that your breast are no longer sore from the pancake, I mean mammogram procedure.

I was asked to not wear any perfume, lotion or deodorant, so I went in for the scan first thing in the morning. If you have long hair, bring an elastic band for your hair. They will have a clip for your hair, though. You will need to disrobe from the waist up and different scans will be taken of your breasts from the front and side profiles. What I liked best about the scan was the ongoing conversation about breast health. I did not feel rushed and asked questions about this scan and breast health.

During my scan the technician, Dr. Joylin Starling was great. She explained everything that she was doing. She also made sure to scan my low back more as she saw lots of “hot” spots there. (I am recovering from a car accident and it was very interesting to see the scan that included my shoulders and low back). The Thermography scan is not invasive or painful. I had to sit still and move according to Dr. Starling’s directions. Frankly, being inquisitive I was interested in the scan and what the different colors mean—more vascular work going on under the skin. The scans are then sent to the US for evaluation. Then, I return for a follow up from the scan.

The next portion of the exam is a digital and ultrasound exam by the technician. During this exam, Dr. Starling was again thoughtfully answering my questions. I was amazed that she was able to assess which breast gave me more “trouble” when nursing my kids. She felt scar tissue in one breast and it was the one that I could recall massaging in the shower and using cabbage to help ease pain after my breast milk came in when I was nursing my babygirl, who is now 13!

Likewise, I was shocked to know that I had scar tissue from the underwire in my bras. She showed me where it was and after touching these areas and other spots around my breasts, I realized that the feel of the tissue was different. I need to make an appointment at one of the suggested bra shops in town for some bras without underwire.

I left the examination feeling lucky. I felt lucky that I had a thorough exam and I read through the folder of information that they provided me with after the exam. I was contacted about a week later for the follow up. I gave a sigh of relief when I heard and read that my breasts were fine. Breast cancer does not run in my family, but like most women the thought of breast cancer is a punch to the stomach.

I have to say that the Thermography scan, digital examination and ultrasound is less painful than a mammogram. For those of you who have not had a mammogram, the technician gets friendly with you and places your breast in a vise and takes photos. OK, that is not wholly accurate, but it sure feels like it. The important thing to note with the mammogram is that you want to have it done when your breasts are the least tender and that will vary from woman to woman, but most experience more tenderness right before their periods.

Now, extended health care might cover the cost of the scan, but you will need to look into it. Mammograms are covered under the province of BC if you meet certain age or health requirements. Regardless of what you opt to do, please make sure that you check your breasts. This includes under the arms, too. And, for younger women, you should also check your breasts. Young women in their teens and twenties have occasionally been diagnosed with Cancer. Cancer does not discriminate.

For more information about Valentus Clinic:
Oak Bay Professional Building
#103 – 1625 Oak Bay Avenue
Victoria, BC, V8R 1B1
Tel: 250-590-5090 Email: Appointments@valentusclinics.com

Now, in the year since the exam, I have replaced some of my underwire bras, but not all. It’s hard–some of the underwire free bras are–shall I say–not as pretty. Yes, I’m shallow here, when I really should be thinking about breast health. Blushing. The major take away is make sure that you examine your breast monthly–include the underarm area, too. Be healthy!

Rate this:

Rate this:

Rate this:

Rate this:

Rate this:

Rate this:

Rate this:

Rate this:

Rate this:

Rate this: