For all the college students: This next week is important to your health. It's usually in about two weeks when so many of you begin to get those pesky Fall colds and the flu. This next week--come to class, eat right, get enough sleep, and try your best to enjoy your courses and this time in your life--in moderation.

That said, hopefully your first week went well an you're getting your bearings for which courses you'll like and the amount of work you'll have for this year. I've been really pleased with the three courses that I'm teaching this term. I've met lots of new students and see familiar faces peppered in all three courses.

I've been quite pleased with a fair number of students who I've chatted with via email or during office hours. Many of you seem keen about this new term. I appreciate the energy that the Fall term brings. I have mixed feelings about having to do certain things. I don't enjoy having to point out to students to pay attention or not distract their classmates with idle chatter during lecture, but sometimes this happens. Just like I have to remember that there are only a certain number of hours in the day.

With that in mind, the undergraduate advisors have decided that we will hold office hours to best serve students. My office hours for advising questions are: Mon and Tues 1:30-2:30. If this changes, I'll post on the blog as well as via Moodle or listserv email to each course. I do prefer to do advising face to face or via email. Phone calls don't work as well for me for two reasons: one they never are at a convenient time--I'm usually on my way to class, a meeting, an errand, or have a student in my office. Also, it's awkward, but I'm also having issues using the phone and typing or writing ever since my car accident.

All that said, have a great second week of the term.