On your mark, get set....for a new academic semester

Photographer: Callum Morse, St. Ives, Cornwall

By the end of August, sunrise is expected at 6:25 a.m. and sunset by 7:33 p.m. - indicators that summer is over and a new semester is fast approaching.

Among educators, it's not usual to detect a palpable sense of excitement mixed in with a little organizational stress during this time.
In addition to heading back to campus for pre-class meetings, course prep activities include finalizing syllabi, updating assignment dates, course policies and expectations, office hours, sending welcome notes, etc.

A recent article published in the Chronicle of Higher Education, "5 Things You Can Do To Prepare For The New Semester" offers suggestions to help faculty hit the ground running; time management is up at the top.

For academic newbies, The Teaching Center  highlights strategies essential to faculty at all levels. In the article Tips for Faculty Teaching for the First Time, scroll to Before the Semester Starts: Course Planning, for some helpful tips.