Sunday, September 19, 2010

On the other side of the table

I am enjoying teaching. I teach three different subjects to undergraduates who are either pursuing their bachelor degree in commerce or appearing for professional exams. The subjects I teach are Business law, Business Communication and Management. The most interesting of all is Business Communication where I get to give all the gyaan that I have about English language, Effective communication, how to write an essay, how to avoid using jargon and how to use your vocabulary in the best possible manner. 

Today's lecture was about essay writing. Now, last night I happened to have a conversation with a blogger - NH, who is in the same batch as a few of my students. When I told her that I was taking a lecture at 8 am on a Sunday morning, she gave me an insight to a student's mind (well, I was a student of this age too errrrrr 10 years back :P). Her accusations on "my kinds" were:

"Why do professors always spoil students' weekend?"

"Can you explain why such outrageous timings on a Sunday morning! students par anyaay"

"Ah, even I have to get up early, travel for an hour to reach there and give a lecture for 2 hours on how to write an essay!" - this was my explanation to her as I couldn't have said that I understood her point. After all, I am now on the other side of the table where I have to be "cruel" :P

When I entered the classroom, each and every person was looking sleepy and dreamy. If it would have been a law lecture, I am sure all of them would have zonked out in 5 minutes flat! But the topic was about how to write an essay - a fun topic as the subject matter I chose for them was "Social Networking Sites" - something all of them (and us too) love. My first question to them was - "Do you guys know what is a Blog?"

To be honest, I was not expecting any of them to give me the exact picture as there are very few teenage bloggers around. But one student did know what blogs were and what blogging was all about. When I asked him whether he reads blogs, he said, "Only celebrities blog!"

Now I did not know whether to feel proud or offended about this statement; but I did not tell him that I blog as well! In the train too, two ladies were discussing blogs. They were talking about what kind of blogs they prefer to read. According to them, personal blogs are boring. How youngsters only rant on personal blogs - about their job, life, husband and wife, friends, lover, food, traffic, travel and every possible thing! 

It's always interesting to know what others think of this blogging world. Actually, for me it's always interesting to know what people think about even smallest of the things. I have heard so many opinions about lawyers, bloggers, students and now professors. Standing on a stage addressing on a particular issue to students who may start looking upto you if they can relate to you. You are standing at a place which you always respected when you were on the other side of the table. Pardon me if I am sounding conceited, but this is what I always wanted to do; well apart from 10 other things in my professional life :P.

Here is a small incentive of being a Professor that brings a smile on my face each time I see it:



25 comments:

  1. First!!!! I have to agree with your student friend, NEha. I don't see why teachers choose the most idyllic time to teach :-) But then, I also see your point that its equally tough on you!! Anyway, only celebs blog huh? That's interesting :-)

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  2. Its nothing wrong to feel conceited or proud when you fight hard to pursue the things you always want to do. Teaching is so noble and thankless; one cant go one unless there is a strong passion for it.

    I am going to teach a friend few concepts on Finance for Managers. I am new to the subject; lack of concentration is the reason cited for not doing self study and hence I am helping. But it feels so good!!

    Kudos to you that you are doing what you like! Keep up!

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  3. I would lecture at 8AM Sundays. It makes no sense. Teach when students are awake :)

    Overall i like your post though

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  4. You know, "Vidyaarjan" or disseminating knowledge /teaching is such a wonderful and noble thing to do. Although, unbelievably , looked down upon and underpaid, in our world populated with "how much do I earn", "what perks do I enjoy" and some such, teaching because you love and enjoy it is absolutely great. And 8 am Sunday lectures are just fine. Best wishes for a great teaching career ....

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  5. I understand how must the students be feeling for lectures on a Sunday at 8am.
    More than that, what is important is your effort in doing what you feel good about, besides your other commitments.
    Keep up the good work.

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  6. Glad that you are enjoying this new role and doing well too!!
    Best wishes always! :)
    That's interesting....people find personal blogs boring?? I guess, that this is the only category which will not be boring!
    Cheers :)

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  7. Glad to note that you are teaching ! It is indeed such a wonderful profession and you make a difference for life !!

    Wonderful !!!

    Keep it going !

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  8. you got 211 followers! i consider you no less then a celebrity blogger :P

    and getting mentioned in a post by you! *sprawling around showering confettis* :P ;)

    i beleive teaching can be more challenging then any corporate jobs! so all respect :)

    hardly any of my frens are into blogging and i love reading personal blogs more then celebrity blogs who knows what they write is true or not...

    please spare us students our beloved weekend *earnest request!

    :)

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  9. you got 211 followers! i consider you no less then a celebrity blogger :P

    and getting mentioned in a post by you! *sprawling around showering confettis* :P ;)

    i beleive teaching can be more challenging then any corporate jobs! so all respect :)

    hardly any of my frens are into blogging and i love reading personal blogs more then celebrity blogs who knows what they write is true or not...

    please spare us students our beloved weekend *earnest request!

    :)

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  10. like the narration
    title other side of table says it all in few words.

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  11. Teaching is an excellent profession. And, I love that. I envy you.

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  12. And Neha learns more once she become a teacher. Good sign., can see you becoming one of the most loved ones.

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  13. neha said it: u r a celebrity blogger..heyyyy me so proud to have a celebrity blogger as friend:) how sweet she is a professor also..omg waiting for party in mumbai..when when when???

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  14. I have stopped reading celebrities blog coz their's hardly anything that I could relate to... sunday morning!!! gosh :P poor student :D
    and thats a nice gift :D

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  15. I am amazed ,how do you manage so many things all together-blogger,nzine,teaching !
    This post reminds me of one of your old post where you said that you feel very sleepy in your class(as a law student,of course).Remember ?It makes me very happy to see you on the other side.

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  16. There is nothing more fulfilling than doing what you love most. I can see that you are having a jolly good time being a teacher. Enjoy! :)

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  17. hey neha i dunno whether all lawyers are nice people; but i can speak about one dear friend of mine..she is among the best..u know Sector 17 in Vashi?..one day i wil be sitting with this lawyer there and have a long chat.. and then write a post abt her..hehe..u want to know the name of that lawyer? it starts with N and she is from the gr8 amchi mumbai...hehe

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  18. hi neha ..iam pretty new to this blog.i just read this blog ..and i like the way u enjoy ur profession. its a strange experience to have so many different students with vivid personalities ;it would be fun to interact with them.and sunday classes ,i agree is frustrating both for teachers and stusents .

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  19. Oh I work in a corporate and have been teaching in the weekends for over eight years. The accolades I get from my students keeps me going. Thanks for the nice write up and reminding me what keeps me going.

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  20. First time here! :) Interesting Post! ... I have attended even 8 am lectures myself on weekend back in college .. I can't say I enjoyed them .. neither did the prof. But apparently neither of us had a choice! :)

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  21. Being on the other side of the table and knowing what's going on minds in the other side is very helpful but then a decade is not so long for you to be out of 'synch'....
    and teaching is something which comes naturally to some people and what i guess from your posts u like it a lot :D...
    Finally celebrity bloggers are atleast popularizing the blogworld :P apna bhi number kabhi to aayga ;)

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  22. Indeed its a beautiful profession, I am sure you already know I started my career when i was in india as a teacher.. though it was more like sports and all.. but still I had fun time..
    Playing wit hthe young boys hockey cricket then going for Inter public school matches and Shouting from my chair to do this , shoot shoot... Pass pass.. Catchhhhhhhhhhhh

    I remember my Principle telling me to calm down bikram...

    I loved it and Got so many students now all over the world who are in constant touch , recently i put a post from one of my students it was beautiful ...

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  23. Sunday morning lecture? I have to agree with the students here... its really frustrating. Doing something you love gives you more joy than anything else :).

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  24. talking about essays in the times of smses:) tough sometimes:)

    on the profession, its like being an artist. frustrating at times but feels fantastic to mould and shape minds:) but added to it, one also grows along.

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  25. I understand the students as well.Isn't it too much to ask them to come on a Sunday morning? Everyone has personal things to do as well,and plans.Your effort is commendable,still, I think there is a time for every thing

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