Week 0

It is the week before class starts, and I know that you are both excited and anxious to get started.  You have a lot of questions...

1. Will I know anyone?
2. Will I understand the assignments?
3. Will I do well?
4. Will I enjoy it?
5. Is writing really necessary?

The answer to all of these questions...

YES!

1. You know me!  Even though we've just met, I'm here for you.  You're not alone.  You do your part, and I will do my part, and we will breeze through this course together.
2. The assignments will be written out clearly, sometimes with TOO much detail, and even if you speed through all of the directions and freak out and think you cannot go back and re-read the directions again...refer to #1!  You now know me.  You can ask me questions.  I check into the classroom Ask the Instructor thread most days of the week.  However, I typically only find time for work after my kids go to bed, and so it may be very late in the evening and even into the early morning when you get a response from me.
3. Of course you will do well!  Why wouldn't you?  You've chosen to come to college, you're seeking higher education to better yourself, and as long as you pace yourself and work on balancing your private life, work life, and school life, you have no reason to worry.  It is sometimes hard to give up personal time, even if it is for something we really want...such as a degree.  
• Interested to learn more?  You may want to read these brief writings on how to balance your work, school, and private life:
• Balancing School with Kids (pdf version) or option 2 (website version)
• 10 Tips for Finding Life Balance in College  (by mycollegesuccessstory.com)
• Academic Success Tools for Students  (by mycollegesuccessstory.com)
• 5-tips-to-achieve-your-optimal-work/school/life-balance
4. Why wouldn't you enjoy it?  You have come to college to learn, correct?  You are seeking a higher knowledge than others so that you can earn that better job, higher pay, and ultimately, better schools for your kids, correct?  So if you approach this class as a truly life-changing experience that will not only help you in your English classes, but in writing for your other classes as well, which will lead to better communication and writing in the workforce, how can you go wrong?  How exciting!
5. Finally, number 5...you have no idea how often I hear from students, "I don't need to take an English class...I know English...I speak English."  As you will learn in the first few weeks of our class, verbal speech and writing text are two different things.  While it is an English instructor's dream for all Americans to speak the way they have been taught to write, we all know that the gap between our local vernacular, slang, and colloquialisms do not match up to the ways we have been taught to write.  But the question was, "Is writing really necessary?".  Of course it is, and writing for clear communication is even more important!

If you are eager to get started on the class, please click here to see part of the readings for Week 1.  Even though class has not started, I highly encourage you to start strong.  Read these pages now, and you will be ready to tackle the Week 1 work once the class opens up.

Please remember that I am available for questions through the Ask the Instructor thread in the classroom.  I will only answer questions once the official date for the start of the class is upon us.  However, let's put our best foot forward, get started on the Week 1 readings, and keep the lines of communication open.  Are you excited???  I hope so.