First time posting anything like this. Adapted from a friend’s story with permission. Feedback appreciated.
Last class of the day done, now to do my office hours and get home. I step into my office and hang my coat and bag on the back of my door, thinking how I should probably decorate the small vertical window my jacket covers like some of the other professors do. I’ve been teaching here for two months and haven’t done much to personalize my tiny office. It’s not much, definitely better than the cubicles they put other adjuncts in, but between the desk in the corner facing the wall, and the single chair for visitors against the wall by the door, there’s not much difference in size, just privacy. I’m exhausted as I sit at my desk, kicking off my heels and relish in the few moments to myself as I listlessly reply to a handful of emails from some colleagues and students. I love teaching and am excited to be doing something I love, but some days they take everything out of you. Only so many times you can answer the same questions on the same subject in one day. And sometimes it’s because of that one know-all-student.