Students

I realized after going back through my blog that most everything I post concerns my home life and not work.  As the semester is reaching a crescendo for both faculty and our students, there are so many funny, quirky things I could post.

In general, I love my job.  I love the opportunities that arise from the academic environment.  I enjoy teaching adults and also love the research and service components.  Since I teach the 3rd year pharmacy students I get a new crop every fall.  While I have only been doing this for about 4 years, and while every class is different, I've noticed similarities amongst students in general...I hate to stereotype, so perhaps categorize is a better word for below. :)

Frat Boys   In every class there is always a group of "frat boys".  These guys are usually mid-20's and are still heavily invested in weekend activities.  Now the variations that occur is that some years, the group of frat boys is friendly and good natured, other years the group is linked to disciplinary problems.  This year, my frat boys are friendly and good natured.  While laziness sometimes plagues the group, they are usually lively, interactive, respectful and therefore are enjoyable to teach.

Sorority Gals   Going along with my frat boys are the sorority girls.  These girls travel in groups and are rarely separated from each other if given the choice.  Like my frat boys, they're usually mid-20's with a healthy interest in their weekend plans.  However, leaders in the college often crop up from this group.  These girls always have time to get their Starbucks on their way to class.

Parents  A number of my students both male & female are parents.  About 3/4 are married, the other 1/4 are single parents trying to take care of their children and still complete a professional program.  I find these students very endearing b/c they have a good sense of balance.  They tend to be very organized but also not overly concerned with being at the top of the class.  These students are focused on application of the material.  I admire and enjoy teaching this group. 

Veruca Salt(s)  Amongst my female students there are always 1-2 Veruca Salts (see Charlie & the Chocolate Factory for additional information).  These girls are not amongst my favorite to teach b/c they are overly focused on themselves.  They tend to have bad attitudes and to try to get their peers to join in on the negativity.  They are usually the ones who argue for every 1/2 point they have lost on an exam and often look for anything that could be labeled "unfair".  As an instructor, I struggle with these students because their behavior is often unprofessional. 

Angry Young Men  Billy Joel composed a great song about this group...it has the best piano intro in history.  That song describes my angry young men to a "T".  What I have found with this group is that they are easier to work with than the Veruca Salts if you can get to the root of their anger and diffuse it.  I've had some years when my angry young men were extremely difficult and other where, in the end, they were enjoyable students. 

Mary Sunshine  This descriptor applies to both male & female students.  These are my perpetually cheerful students.  Even seeing a 65% on the top of their exams doesn't bring them down.  These students are wonderful because their positivity affects those around them.  They are usually quite popular amongst their peers.  As an instructor, this group is a joy to teach.

Anyway - these are just a few descriptions of the students I teach.  Below is my recipe of the week.  It comes from a friend of mine in NC who called this her "divorce" recipe b/c it was the best thing she got out of her divorce. ;)

Pumpkin Pie Squares
1 29oz can pumpkin pie mix
1 box yellow cake mix, divided
1 stick of butter, divided
3 eggs
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/4 + 1/4 cup sugar

Reserve 1 cup of yellow cake mix and place the rest in a large mixing bowls.  Melt 1/2 stick of butter and press into bottom of 9x13 pan.  In same bowl, combine pumpkin pie mix with 1/4 cup sugar, evaporated milk and 3 eggs.  Mix together and then pour on top of crust.  Wipe out bowl and then combine remaining cake mix with 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 stick butter and crumble over top.  Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes.  Toothpick test for done-ness.  Serve with whipped cream!  Yum!!!