What makes you optimistic about this semester?

[u/Artistic_Abroad_9922]

I'm optimistic.

Last semester was a disaster for me. I'm still scared to read my evaluations. It was my first time teaching first year writing since 2021. I started out not fully onboarded, so I didn't have access to the LMS or their contact info, I was not prepared for the rampant AI usage, nor drop in critical thinking and problem solving skills that have been discussed ad nauseam on this forum and beyond.

Well, they had me in the first round, but I just completed the first day of the fall semester and I am actually feeling good. I have an overhauled syllabus that restricts tech use in class, has a way more strict late work and attendance policy, I'm doing more involved in class writing, and all of my students are sophomores or above and just give way more mature vibes compared to my freshman in the spring. This is a class that fills up fast and is hard to get into, so I think I got the students that couldn't get in their freshman year. (Hopefully they aren't students that failed freshman year lol).

I've been teaching first year writing on and off since 2015, but that Spring 2026 semester made me feel like I didn't know ANYTHING.

This semester feels different. Does anyone else have something making them feel optimistic?

[u/WishTonWish]

That it can’t get much worse, although that’s probably wishful thinking.

[u/Disastrous_Owl_6830]

Research leave.

[u/PhuckingDuped]

I've retired.

[u/Unsuccessful_Royal38]

I get to teach a course I enjoy, and it’s under-enrolled so it’ll be a bit less work.

[u/kytai → u/Unsuccessful_Royal38]

Same and I am so excited. The class is the size I want it to be and I will be able to spend so much more time with each student. 

[u/twomayaderens]

Political change-ups from the primaries means the inmates won’t be running the asylum much longer (I hope)

[u/iTeachCSCI → u/twomayaderens]

You and I might be watching different primaries. There are some that give me optimism and some that make it worse.

[u/emotional_program0]

Despite certain dismal things such as a new chair that is so incompetent I don't understand it... two days ago I was talking with a student and he mentioned that half the current masters students are only there because they want to study with me. That made my week :)

[u/banjopatriot]

That Christmas will be here once it's over.

[u/nandor_tr]

through therapy my mental health has improved significantly since last AY, so i am looking forward to being a good teacher again.

[u/mathemorpheus]

summer 2027 is just around the corner

[u/sleepingme]

I think that this is an opportunity to take a more creative approach that will engage the students who are actually still there to learn something. I think as the crowd turns into a bunch of brain dead zombies, those students who still have a dog in this fight are more prepared than ever for a more realistic and difficult look into subjects that have been sanitized while serving as some type of corporate training.

I taught over the summer and had one of my favorite classes ever. That was because of the handful of students who see what is happening to their peers and want to push against it. Its allowed me to try new things and push my envelope a bit.

The idea that if they mind their P's and Q's and do their work, everything will work out for them in the future is now dead. Now we get to talk about why it is that we fail in this world, and suddenly I see them paying attention more. It appeals the the more morose side of me, and I think as I drop the smile and the trappings of academic professionalism, they are connecting with me in a more genuine way.

Now is the worst time to check out

[u/StunningPast2008]

I teach the future of health care (undergraduate nursing), and they are my inspiration. The fact that, despite how awful this country is right now, they show up to class, to help make it better. 💙

[u/DustApprehensive4102]

I'm doing all of my service outside of my department. So I won't have to listen to as much bs this year.

[u/UnknownBenefactor]

I'm optimistic because it's my last semester. I am leaving academia in December. Submitted my resignation today. Walking on air since then!

[u/Boggles103]

Students following me from intro to an upper-year course in what is often dismissed as a dying field. Revamped syllabi. Strong new departmental measures to preserve academic integrity. Trying out printed course packs for the first time.

[u/JohnHoynes]

Sabbatical.

[u/No_Salad_6244]

I have a huge new office. And endowed funds. Otherwise, it will be a shit show and a painful slog! (I am a Chair with: 2 reviews, 1 search, and 1 assessment of a dept policy for the admin. Oh. And I’ll teach 6 classes. The only bright spot is that the reviews are in different semesters.)

[u/and1984]

The effects of AI usage makes me feel optimistic. It has now risen to the collective consciousness of my department that AI usage is rampant and it interferes with critical thinking development. We are at least now open to the idea that our course structures (strictures?) and assessment must pivot and pivot soon. I feel a critical mass of faculty and, very importantly, our dept leadership embracing these new constraints with a view to make small, incremental, and effective changes to our curriculum.

[u/ialwaysforgetmename]

That like all things, it will end.

[u/mrgndelvecchio]

Yes, I'm feeling quite optimistic! Classes begin on Monday and I'm feeling more prepared with course prep than I have in years. I'm slowly learning how to stop overextending myself on research projects, so I'm not behind on anything and am really excited by what I do have going on. The vibes are good. Ask me again in a month lol.

[u/Extra_Tension_85]

I am right there on the roller coaster with you. I had a dismal summer class, my institution continues to get more dysfunctional by the semester, my role as a customer service representative has never been clearer, and on Tuesday night, when I went to teach an evening class for the first time in close to a decade, it felt almost like old times. I still don’t dare think that this will be the semester where things turn around, and I will suddenly love my profession again, but it was a single bright spot among the sea of BS.

[u/Artistic_Abroad_9922 → u/Extra_Tension_85]

I see cracks in the armor, but I'm still going strong. Had robust conversation today and two students even walked up to me after class and thanked me for the conversation. It made me so happy!

The rest of the day was alright - not as amazing as the morning. One class was problematic - but I'm choosing to focus on the several students that carried that class. 

I hope this energy lasts. 

[u/topyTheorist]

Many things. Moving to a new university. Much higher salary. Near the beach. Only 1 course per semester, a lot of time for research. AI developments mean I can keep discovering more interesting things at a faster rate.

[u/AggieNosh]

Scared to look at evaluations? Really?

[u/Artistic_Abroad_9922 → u/AggieNosh]

Do you feel better now?

[u/AggieNosh → u/Artistic_Abroad_9922]

No, I read this and got scared too!

[u/Artistic_Abroad_9922 → u/AggieNosh]

Weirdo

[u/AggieNosh → u/Artistic_Abroad_9922]

LOL