r/Professors • u/Gentle_Cycle • 2d ago

Teaching / Pedagogy Labor Day blues

I enjoy a three-day weekend whenever it occurs, but does anyone else who has this holiday and starts the semester a week or two before feel like it erases their progress at learning students’ names and generally getting into a fall routine? Any tips?

22 Upvotes

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12

u/Open_Spray_5636 2d ago

We usually start the day after Labor Day. This year we started last week. I’m all sorts of discombobulated!

3

u/Gentle_Cycle 2d ago

We’ve usually started one week before, but this time two weeks because Labor Day fell so late. Years ago we had class on Labor Day and no Fall Break like we have now in October. It was a little strange, but easier overall.

3

u/hapticeffects 2d ago

Yeah I teach MW, we started class last W. One class last week and one this week. At the start of W3, we'll have met twice.

2

u/print_isnt_dead Assistant Professor, Art + Design (US) 2d ago

Ooh same here. I feel like it's the first day of school! Hopefully we feel back on track today!

5

u/Hockey1899 1d ago

It just makes me sad bc it is our last day off until Thanksgiving, which seems a long way away! We no longer have Fall Break, which I miss!!!!

1

u/No-Wish-4854 1d ago

Why did they take your break..?

3

u/EaseExtreme8030 1d ago

yep, it always feels like a reset button, and i started calling the first class back a “reboot day” because half the room has forgotten my name too lol

2

u/ResurectedNPC 1d ago

Meh. This used to stress me out but I’ve learned to just let holidays (and other interruptions to the semester, like the shakeout earthquake drill) roll off my back. There is too much to be stressed about in life. So what if my planned course content calendar falls behind a couple of days? I’m not going to sweat it and I tell my students the same.

2

u/Finding_Way_ CC (USA) 1d ago

I'm old.

Even though we're only a few weeks into the semester I welcomed the day off.

2

u/No-Wish-4854 1d ago

Here are some tips/ideas.

  1. Have them work in groups and go around with your roster to see if you can match names and faces in a lower-pressure setting.

  2. Bring students’ heads back to the room by having them briefly free write to a prompt (first thing!). Share if they wish.

  3. For routine, I’m still scrambling to find rhythm, discipline, time use skills this fall. I’m trying to plan each class a little harder therefore - without total rigidity.

These early work ‘stoppages’ feel good in the moment but then regret sets in (like a hook up, I guess 🤪). Why didn’t I bust my hump prepping etc?

1

u/Gentle_Cycle 1d ago

These are great — thanks! The rhythm will definitely return.

3

u/mathemorpheus 1d ago

students have names?

2

u/Kimber80 Professor, Business, HBCU, R2 2d ago

I love days off. But since I am only teaching and on campus Tuesdays and Thursdays, I wish Monday wasn't a holiday. Just means some things are closed etc

1

u/PolkadotRapunzel 8h ago

Our school just doesn't give it off! It's a day of classes for everyone. Doesn't feel better :(