One term down!

As aforementioned by other bloggers, Fall A is over. First 4 weeks of courses, first month of true Tuck living, first 20 days of classes under the belt. Our students are done with their first round of finals (take-home and in-class) and I already find myself desperately sentimental about this first nugget of time here. As a partner, I could really only look on sympathetically as students struggled to get by with 4-5 hours of sleep every night; prepared to give warm and reassuring hugs as often as possible. I heard stories of other partners providing dinner for study group and I tried to send baked goods as often as possible (gotta feed those brains!). My student had it pretty terrific, if I do say so myself, as I tried to keep laundry, most household chores, and cooking off of his plate this month. This is definitely something that will be adjusted after the fall (sorry, pal), but the time constraints were truly and honestly overwhelming and I found it easy to be as understanding as possible.

My own days during Fall A were filled with training at a new job and getting together with partners (book club, wine club, puppy playdates, etc.) for lunch or in the evening. There were days full of unpacking, acclimating, and figuring out costumes for that weekend’s costume party. I tried to get a full night’s sleep every night, but found myself staying up (solidarity?) and my own body was more than ready for the respite of Fall Break. This is another adjustment I’ll have to incorporate next term!

I am certainly not a relationship expert, but I’m wondering if readers would benefit from some tips on how we got through the first month of school together (let me know?). Although it was an adjustment to not hear from him often during the day, I feel that we really are spending plenty of time together during the week. Often, you’ll see us at evening school-related functions which, in my opinion, counts as quality time spent with my student. I remind him to be kind, I remind myself to be kind, and have found comfort in adjusting priorities to accommodate our crazy schedules.

There are loads of resources to help partners during this crazy time; we ban together like no other and I will definitely be able to speak to how other folks are getting through with more perspective in the future.

In the meantime, this is how I spent my fall break!