5 Things I’ll Need to Survive the Spring 2023 Semester

Wow! New course prep is a lot of work!

That’s what I was thinking during the weekend as I prepared for this week’s classes. As an adjunct professor, it’s been awhile since I’ve taught a brand new class. I had conveniently forgotten the uncertainty that comes with it (even in my 20th year of teaching) and the time it takes to create two (or more) slide decks from scratch each week. 

Talk about professor problems!

But I’m always excited about the beginning of a new semester, and this one is no different. I love being in the classroom, even when it’s in the middle of my workday. 

5 Things I’ll Need to Survive the Spring 2023 Semester

Just like in all the years before, there are some things I’ll need to survive this semester. It never takes too long to identify what they’ll be because each semester is unique. Here’s my list for the Spring 2023 semester.

1. Alarm Clock

I work from home now, so I set an alarm clock, but I usually wake up naturally without it. My mornings are pretty leisurely, and I log in on my computer in my home office at about 9 a.m. That routine won’t be the same now that I’m teaching. 

Teaching on two days a week that I also have standing meetings means I must get up earlier and drive to campus in time to do my online meetings before I start class. I’d forgotten what it was like to wake up to an alarm and commute before any work actually gets done.

And, of course, by alarm clock, I actually mean the clock on my phone. I would love to be one of those people who leaves their phone in another room and wakes up to sunlight or the birds chirping, but I’m not. I consider the most difficult thing I do every day to be getting from my bed to the shower. I need multiple blaring alarms to get me from Point A to Point B.

2. Laptop 

My Macbook will be an appendage this semester as I work from school and home. Who knows, I might even throw in a coffee shop or lunch work session to mix things up. Remote work will look more like mobile work this semester.

I don’t love working from my laptop (I prefer the big screen of my desktop.), but I can make it happen. And I do love that coffee shop productivity.

3. Audiobooks

You may have read that I challenged myself to read 200 books this year. I’ve never read that many books in a year before, and I’m not totally convinced that I can do it. But, since I’m commuting two days a week, I figure I need to take advantage of the time. I’ll be making the most of audiobooks from the Libby library app and my Audible subscription.

If you don’t already have an Audible subscription, I love mine. You can check it out with a 30-day free Audible trial.

4. iPhone

It feels a little bit like cheating to put my iPhone on this list because I’m so addicted to it that I basically always need it to survive. But I’ve already noticed that I use it during transitions between class and work to check Slack and answer questions or connect with the writing team I lead. Maybe it’s not so much my iPhone that I need for survival as it is Slack. I’ll let y’all decide. 

5. Leggings

Did I mention that I work from home, and I love it? Working from home also means spending pretty much all my time in athleisure. Just because I’m teaching now doesn’t mean I’m breaking out the tights and heels every day (I will sometimes.). It’s time for fancy leggings, people!

For those who want to know, I absolutely love these Elation Tights from Athleta. You can dress them up or down. I have a few pairs in black and a deep purple pair. Always comfy!

What’s on Your List

My list of things I’ll need to survive the spring 2023 semester is pretty practical. I have what I need and just need to stay motivated and organized from here. 

What about you? I’m interested in what your lists looks like. Even if you aren’t an educator, what’s something (or five things) you’ll need to survive this busy season?