https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 08 May 2026 02:15:59 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-124610 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:22:58 +0000 medusa 124610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all so much for actually reading my rant and giving such kind and supportive comments. It means a lot to me...I'm grateful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-124139 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:36:11 +0000 shana 124139@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Medusa, you have gotten some great advice &amp; I think making your expectations and requirements clear will hopefully make your life alot easier. And of course, things will be so much easier next go around, right! I'm glad to hear that fashion &amp; style is giving you an outlet for some of the stress!</p> <p>I went to a pretty large university and 300 or so was a typical size for some of those intro engineering weeder courses. In fact, I took one class that had about 1200 students in it (and yes, we all sat in a HUGE auditorium and the prof used lots of AV/technology). It is supposedly the world's largest live lecture courses! Anyway, the professor was so engaging, he held our rapt attention!</p> <p>I was also a TA long ago and I remember having a conversation with the prof that taught the class about the "critical number" beyond which students felt like they were invisible. It depended a bit on the size of the room, but generally, he thought the number was about 40! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-124005 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:21:28 +0000 RoseandJoan 124005@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm in no doubt you will achieve a better balance in time Medusa, I admire your courage and look forward to the outfits. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-123947 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:07:04 +0000 Vani 123947@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So sorry you have to deal with so much stress. I can sort of empathize. Years ago I worked as a teaching asst for lab sessions for a basic under grad IT course. Some days I would come home with a hoarse throat trying to make my voice heard over the talking. Sihaya has some great ideas. I hope all issues get sorted out for you. Fantastic of you to not stop exercising. You are such a strong, successful, fit and stylish woman - keep reminding yourself of what an inspiration you are to us here! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-123941 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:48:53 +0000 Sihaya 123941@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Medusa - congrats for doing this. You have already vanquished the most common fear of most US folks - public speaking. As a keynote speaker and teacher myself, I can really empathize with the disruptions of an audience. That would totally drive me batty and throw me off center. And you have to do that several times a week. I wonder if there's a way you can have a "meta" conversation with your students - that you'd like them to derive as much value as possible, that you'd like to have as satisfying an experience as possible. When you hear noise, it slows down your pace and they get less out of the class? Then have them "opt in". Can I ask you to agree to be fully present when the class is in session? Fully present means, attention to the lecture and exercises, no devices, no side talk, etc. etc. Can I ask for a show of hands of how many of you are willing to do this? Then you could even at the start of each class say something like, we're going to start a new tradition. Each morning we're going to check in (show them the checklist again of what that means). Can I have a show of hands of who is checking in right now? If yo'ure not ready to check in, I suggest you step outside, take care of the issues that are top of mind for you and come back in when you're ready to check in? </p> <p>I'm not sure if this will fly in your class but something that I would think of doing with my situation. And have done and it worked great. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-123921 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:19:53 +0000 Louise 123921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>(((hugs))) I find 24 3-7 year olds tough but 300 teenagers Arrrrrgggghhhhh. Could you explian to them like you did here about the accoustics problem? they may not realise their talking causes a problem and the same with the emails can they keep them to real problems only? Sorry if i'm way off it's the early years worker coming out in me!! x </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-123877 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:54:13 +0000 Anonymous 123877@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Actually you sound like you are taking all of this in stride and a proffessional manner. The more you practice teaching the large classes the easier it will become. If you can stand up in front of 300 students, you've got alot more nerve than most people. You've got it going on and I am not surprised because you really seem like a winner in the world. I can see that you have worked hard to be where you are at. You are an amazing woman. Keep on keeping on!<br /> Ooooh, can't wait to see some of the good coming out of this stressful situation, which is your new found confidence with you style. I'm looking forward to that post. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-123870 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:31:28 +0000 AJ 123870@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ack! Getting my 3 kids to pay attention wears me out as it is...I can't imagine 300 a day!! </p> <p>This is both for your daily grind and your newfound style confidence:<br /> <a href="http://media.funlol.com/content/hugbear.gif" rel="nofollow">http://media.funlol.com/content/hugbear.gif</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-123853 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:37:33 +0000 Jean Gray 123853@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, good for you for staying on the exercise wagon! I hope you can find some ways to eat when you need to.<br /> I have newfound respect for professors...WOW what a load of responsibility and time! I agree with laying down the boundaries as far as hours and e-mails. I think that would be smart and self-preserving.<br /> Glad that you are having fun with your outfits! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-123852 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:36:25 +0000 Maya 123852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Large classes v. small classes--so true! I only had that problem my first year, when I took my foundation art history classes. Once I started taking electives, I was in class with 12 people or less and it was wonderful. For some classes, we would just sit around a table and talk and have a lively discussion about the day's topic, or it was a typical art history class with slides and dates and information. Either way, being the nerd that I am, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's too bad in a way. I made the mistake of thinking college was for learning, and not just weaseling your way into getting a job. Now I feel very naive... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-123850 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:33:42 +0000 Queen Mum 123850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>cant you send the talking students to the principals office? LOL<br /> I can't imagine having to speak to 300 people every day, and even adults can be soooo rude.<br /> hugs from me too </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-123847 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:30:57 +0000 Angie 123847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Medusa, (((big hugs))). </p> <p>I don't know HOW you stand up in front of 300 hundred people each day! Hang in there and make the most of that day off, AND spend time with your sweetie. I'm tickled that your glorious outfits improve your quality of life :0) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-123843 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:24:16 +0000 MNsara 123843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, Medusa - I feel for you! (but I love your rant) &gt;300 students would be intimidating. Why does such a large lecture need to be recorded also? Is it for distance learners too? I wouldn't think the style of delivery for a large lecture and a recording would be the same.</p> <p>As for the talking (i.e. rudeness, lack of manners, inconsideration, lack of respect, self-centeredness, etc.) -- grrrrrr!! I sub in our area high schools and I can't take the behaviour more than 2-3 days a week. It is incredible in a bad way and the ugly technology policing we need to do is outrageous. They find a new way of being technologically obnoxious almost every semester!!</p> <p>I always hear the high school teachers complaining about the email load and they only have 140 or so students at any time. I can't imagine how you dare open up your email each morning! I do love the idea of putting email reading hours into your course overview and specifyfing email response criteria!! Who would ever have thought we'd get to that point?</p> <p>Sorry I'm ranting too, but you've tapped into a shared nerve here. . .</p> <p>Great that you have gotten assertive about your style! Can't wait to see pics of this love-it-or-leave-it (?) you. Alo, I'm proud of you for not skimping on the exercise - it's probably one of the things that DOES keep you from completely losing it </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-123801 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 01:05:40 +0000 Boof 123801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Medusa, so sorry that work is so tough right now. Glad you're having fun getting dressed each day in spite of the situation. Be kind to yourself so you don't get run down. </p> <p>Hey, at least you look really cool even if you're tired, hungry, and cranky. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-123798 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:57:44 +0000 Kari 123798@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's too bad, Medusa. I can't imagine teaching in a class that size - it's hard as a student because of the factors you mention as well. (That's partly why I chose a university that had mostly smaller, 20-35 person undergraduate classes - I only had a handful of classes that had 50-200 students.)</p> <p>Is getting a TA or a student with work study (I'm not sure if you have this at your school) to assist you an option?</p> <p>That's wonderful that your style is one of the things that is helping you hold together right now. I've been in the same boat - when I was unemployed, or when I was miserable with my job, at least I could motivate myself to get out the door when I knew I was dressed well.</p> <p>Take care of yourself, and I hope that the semester will get easier as you get these new processes and technologies under your belt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-123794 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:48:07 +0000 marianna 123794@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I honestly think huge lecture halls like that are unfair to all parties involved. My favorite classes in college were those in small, intimate settings, in which I felt connected to the professor and my peers. Large lectures are also unfair to the professor because how can one person have control over 300 people at once? I suppose some professors prefer the distance, but the best professors (like you!) prefer interacting with students. So I absolutely understand where you're coming from. Seems like you're doing everything right and it's the nature of the beast!</p> <p>Regarding emails, college kids can be stupid! I only emailed my professors with dire questions/circumstances. That said, I always appreciated fast responses to my emails, but again that only happened in those small/intimate class settings! I can't imagine responding to hundreds of stupid questions. I'd absolutely set boundaries here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-123793 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:46:56 +0000 Maya 123793@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow Medusa, I am so sorry you have so much on your plate right now. I can understand completely though. My dad is a teacher and is basically spends his entire time teaching, making lesson plans, correcting papers, answering emails, making parent phone calls, etc. It is a 24 hour job and very exhausting.</p> <p>About the talking: That just makes me so mad. I used to have friends who would constantly try and talk to me during class and it would drive me batty. I wanted to smack them...and these were my FRIENDS. Imagine how I felt about my non-friends! I just can't believe people are THAT inconsiderate, immature, and ill-mannered at that age. It makes it so hard for the people who are actually trying to pay attention and learn. Sometimes I wish the people chattering away had their comments publicly released.</p> <p>As for the stupid emails, I would honestly just ignore them. Who has time for that? They are adults. They can make their own choices. If they whine about it later, tough noogies.</p> <p>I think you should put out an announcement in the beginning of the semester that such emails will not be acknowledged. I had professors do this in college. I even had a teacher who did made it clear that she did not answer emails or phone calls on the weekend or before or after certain hours. Perhaps you need to impose some boundaries? You can't be expected to have NO free time or lose sleep over this. </p> <p>Glad there is at least one bright spot to all of this though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-whiny-rant-with-unexpected-connection-to-style#post-123789 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:34:37 +0000 medusa 123789@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So I finally have a couple free hours and I'm so happy to be reading the forum....I apologize that I won't be able to comment on every post but I'm going to read as much as I can. </p> <p>And you get to hear my long whiny rant (if you want to read it)! I'm having a tough spring semester. For the first time I'm teaching a really large class, with over 300 students. Everything about it is challenging me. I'm quite nervous about speaking in front of that many people, so I get all keyed up beforehand and afterwards I'm exhausted when the adrenaline wears off. Even though this is a college class the students can be surprisingly disruptive - people will talk to each other during class, and the room acoustics aren't great so these side conversations make it hard to hear in the room. I'm getting complaints from students about the noise, so I keep asking the class to quiet down so people can hear. Then there is the level of technology involved in giving the lectures, which are recorded, and communicating with the class about homework, grades, etc. I've had to learn several new computer systems for managing all this, and I'm spending hours and hours on all this annoying (to me) logistical computer stuff. Then there's the email! Some of it is totally valid and important (grading questions, questions about the material), and some of it is totally ridiculous (people who couldn't be bothered to do the homework on time, and no, I'm not going to let you skip the exam because your family wants you to come home for a long weekend). Keeping up with that takes a lot of time. I barely have time to actually interact with the students, which is the part I like. All together I'm spending more than 40 hours a week, and this is just for one class - it's only supposed to be 40% of my job. Keeping up with research and other work is a whole separate full-time job. I'm working 12-hour days and feeling like I am losing my mind. </p> <p>I am forcing myself to take one day off each weekend so I have a bit of a break, but then trying to do something fun outdoors while also catching up on grocery shopping &amp; laundry is exhausting. I absolutely refuse to skip exercising, so instead I'm getting less sleep. I keep not having time to eat during the day and getting really crabby and angry by the evening.</p> <p>There's one interesting part of this that has surprised me - I've actually been enjoying style and picking out outfits more than ever during these few weeks. I thought that I would just retreat to my most basic standby outfits but instead I've been trying some new combinations that would have seemed a bit crazy to me even a few months ago. (I'll post some pictures for you soon, I promise!) I've been less insecure about whether what I'm wearing looks good, more confident in my style choices. In some ways I feel like not having much time has helped me stop agonizing about outfit choices - like the way I was worrying about what you all would think about my outfit - and just going for it. I feel like getting dressed is one of my favorite parts of the day now. That's my silver lining.</p> <p>OK, so that is my whiny rant. Thanks for listening. </p>