Overload Snafu

The semester is broken into a combination of 18 week courses and 5 week courses, gently spread out so as to make the workload and absorption rate manageable for working adults juggling families and ministries. Tonight the last of the five week courses was to begin. The professor's course pack lay on the podium in expectation, the student roster clearly visible through the plastic case.



Start time came and went, no professor. Ten more minutes and we assessed the situation. According to the student roster, the class minus one was present and ready. The professor would have no way of reaching anyone to tell us that she had been delayed. We finally decide to call her home and see what we can discover. We reach her spouse who relays the message and within minutes the professor calls the student's cell phone.



Her profuse apologies, she was told the class started next week. She will be there in 20 minutes. That would give us a good hour and a half of work time. But one of the students speaks up loudly. Don't do that to yourself. You are not prepared. We can't ask it of you. Just come next week and we will meet you here. What a ruse!



I mention that if you delay this course by a week, we will need to extend by a week at the other end of the five weeks. The professor tells us not to work ahead because we need the material from the first session in order to write the required paper for the second session. She will modify the syllabus. The student who objected is shouting hallelujah and rejoicing that she is getting a night off.



I can't understand it. She is paying to take this class and to get the information and training it will provide for her. I don't want to miss anything listed on the syllabus - even after absorbing everything there I know it will hardly be enough preparation for what the work will demand. I don't want a night off. I want to get ahold of all I am entitled to! I start to feel a little put out, but I am brought up short by the obvious glee on the poor woman's face.



Well, the good Lord will take care of my training requirements. I empathize with a student who is so overloaded that she jumps desperately at any chance of a break. And she is a stay at home Mom with only one three year old to care for. I can't imagine what a blessing a night off means to the rest of the class. Three of them head for the library to complete papers that are due tonight, and one that was due two weeks ago. I have forgotten how hard it is to catch up when you fall behind. How could I be so selfish?



And the professor was in a meeting at her church, her time committed to her fully loaded schedule as well. I cannot begrudge anyone an opportunity for a bit of slack in a poundingly demanding life. I gather up my backpack and pens and head for the door. Perhaps I too can use this time for good. After all, Drew is not feeling well and could certainly use some pampering if he is awake.



I call to check on him, and we end up heading to Wegman's for more medicine and some fruit and yogurt to help him feel better. Yes, good thing I had some free time. How much better to be doing something loving than still learning how to do something loving. Get it straight! A practicum instead of a lecture. Just as needed.